The Italian Memorandum

“A Time for Us”

“A time for us, at last to see
A life worthwhile for you and me”

(Theme from Romeo and Juliet,
by Larry Kusik and Eddie Snyder)

“In all this, remember how critical the moment is. It
is time for you to wake out of sleep, for deliverance
is nearer to us now than it was when first we believed”

(Romans 13:11, New English Bible)

Introduction: The church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23,32). As seen in prophecy, they were meant to share theirs souls with each other (Song of Solomon 2:10,16).

Romans 13:11-12

A. A time for us is a time for ____________________.

B. A time for us is a time for ____________________.

C. A time for us is a time for ____________________.

Conclusion: “A time for us someday there’ll be…A time for us at last to see / A life worthwhile for you and me”. If ever you meant to be involved in the work of the Lord’s church, the time is now. The church of 2008 awaits you. “The night is far gone; the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:12; Lk. 12:20; John 9:4).

“Full of Gladness”

“You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence”

(Acts 2:28)

Introduction: Will you make gladness a priority in 2008? Then, get a Psalm 16 Personal Program going for yourself today:

1. It’s the way of Messiah’s people (Ps. 16:11 and Acts 2:28)

2. It’s prayerful personal grounding ____ _______ (16:1-4)

3. It’s a ____________ portion (16:5-8)

4. It’s a preference for _______________ (16:9-11)

Conclusion: A personal program for a New Year (Ps. 118:24). To begin with God or to begin without God—That is the question. But, if you choose to begin without God, you will not end with God. To begin with God is to journey with gladness. Yes!

Introduction: The people of God in Isaiah’s day were running a Little Shop of Horrors on the side (a reference to giving away their life-blood; as chapter 59 illustrates). However, the true people of God, the Messianic believers, would be defined by certain characteristics:

1. Have Abrahamic Continuity (Isaiah 41:8-10; 51:2)

2. Have Biblical Comfort (Isaiah 51:4,7,16)

3. Have Messianic Consciousness (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Conclusion: “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14; Isaiah 44:1/Galatians 6:16).

“blessing each with the blessing suitable”

        (Genesis 49:28)

Introduction:    The book of Genesis contains vital information about the fundamentals of blessing (Blessing 101; Psalm 134!).

I.    Blessing is an old word (Gen. 1:22; 9:1) about the Lord God (9:26) and, very Abrahamic (12:3; 14:19).

II.    Blessing is _________________ (27:36-40).

III.    Blessing is characterized by _____  __________ (49:28)

Conclusion:  I am a member of the body of Christ.  Like everyone else, I have a past; I have a present; and I have a future.  But, because I am a member of the body of Christ—my past, my present, and my future may all be understood in the concept of blessing: my past is blessed; my present is blessed; my future is blessed.  I am blessed because I am a part of the body of Christ (Galatians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

“…behold your king is coming to you…mounted on a donkey”

(Zechariah 9:9; see Matthew 21:4-5)

Introduction: The donkey at the east gate is a definite signal. Let us explore this magnificent text.

I.     Matthew 21:1-3 – A Messianic Directive

II.   Matthew 21:4-5 – A Messianic Fulfillment

III. Matthew 21:6-7 – A Messianic Feat

IV.  Matthew 21:8-10 – A Response to Messiah

Conclusion: Zechariah’s prophecy was given about the year 520 B.C. Simple math infers that this pre-dated the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem by some 550 years. What does it say? What does it say to you?

“The LORD is one”

(Mark 12:29)

Introduction: Is all this merely about getting along? “I believe Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else” (C. S. Lewis).

I. The Seven Ones of Ephesians 4:4-6 (4:3; 2:16-22)

1. “one body” (2:16)
2. “one Spirit”(2:18)
3. “one hope”
4. “one Lord”
5. “one faith”
6. “one baptism”
7. “one God”

II. Why this Oneness Matters (in God’s salvation-history)

A. Mark 12:29 influences everything Paul writes.

B. Eph. 2:1,5; 3:9 _____________________

C. Eph. 2:14-22 _____________________

D. Eph. 6:12 _____________________

Conclusion: Ephesians is cosmic (1:10). Your cosmos! There is nothing at all in your life that is left unaddressed in Ephesians. To forget Spiritual unity (4:3) by minimizing the importance of the seven ones of Eph. 4:4-6 is to open yourself up to frightful fragmentation (4:14).

“And looking up to heaven, he sighed…”

(Mark 7:34)

“And he sighed deeply in his spirit…”

(Mark 8:12)

Introducton: Mark’s Gospel is sensitive to convey that Jesus sighed on several occasions (Mark 7:34 and 8:12).

I. Significant because _______________________________

II. Significant because _______________________________

III. Significant because _______________________________

Conclusion: Jesus’ emotional involvement in salvation-history is a real problem to those today who want to assign their unbelief to a capricious God; an aloof God; or a vindictive God. Jesus is none of these. Aren’t you glad!

“And so we came to Rome”

(Acts 28:14)

Introduction: Our sermon is taken from the book of Acts 28:11-16. This text relates Paul’s arrival in Rome and specifies a certain place along the way, “the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns” (v. 15).

I. This message is about Christian __________________

II. Even Christians will encounter ___________________

III. What happened at the Forum and Three Taverns?

A. __________________

B. __________________

C. __________________

Conclusion: Your Forum of Appius and Three Taverns awaits you (Psalm 23:3,4). “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places” (Isaiah 58:11; Matthew 28:20).

“Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne”

(Isaiah 66:1)

Introduction: Take a trip to the local mall, and you will find that we continue to speak of heaven. But, not all trips speak of the same heaven. Read Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians and you will encounter heaven words for the heavenward.

I. Paul’s world included…

II. Paul’s usage of heaven words in Ephesians

A. Re: “us” (1:3) ___________________________

B. Re: “all things” (1:10) ______________________

C. Re: “Christ” (1:20; 4:10; 6:9) _________________

D. Re: “principalities and powers” (3:10; 6:12) ________________________________________

E. Re: “every family” (3:15) ____________________

Conclusion: Heaven holds all to Paul. Does heaven hold all to you? In other words, are you heavenward?

“When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, Truly this was the Son of God!”

(Matthew 27:54)

Introduction: The death of Christ is surrounded by the miraculous (Matthew 27:45-53). But, why?

1. The Darkness (Matthew 27:45)

2. The Tearing of the Veil (Matthew 27:51)

3. The Earthquake (Matthew 27:51,54)

Conclusion: We leave you with the miracle that never happened (Matthew 26:50-53).