Lake Region Bible Church Sermons
Web Site: Lake Region Bible Church
Total Sermons: 56
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GOSPEL CONFIDENCE IN DAILY LIFE FOR YOU AND ME (1Jn 2:18-28 * Message #5/14) 11-15-09
{NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below via email, in an outline form (which is easier to understand), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson: efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net}. INTRODUCTION: an Eschatological View of Time – “History has changed its direction, says Newman. It runs ‘not towards the end, but along it, and on the brink of it; and is at all times near the great event, which did it run towards it, it would at once run into. Christ then is ever at our doors.’ Since the coming of Jesus, history has a new urgency, a sense that its end is at hand and the powers of the future are impinging upon it. … Thus at any moment history could lapse over the line and bring about the end. And history’s proximity to the line (The End) will be signaled by the devastating events described here and elsewhere in the New Testament. (*Gary M. Burge, Letters of John, p.126-27). JOHN’S WARNING & HIS REASSURANCE – (1) Walk in Spiritual Discernment (vs18-19): --> Regarding “the Last Hour” (v18); --> Regarding Antichrist & Antichrists (v18); --> Regarding False Believers: “Leaving Us & being Exposed” (v19). (2) You know the Truth of Jesus Christ! (vs20-23). (3) Abide in Christ as the Gospel Abides in You! (vs24-28): --> Abide in Christ by letting the Gospel abide in you (vs24-25); --> Abide in Christ because the Gospel abides in you (vs26-28). GOSPEL CONFIDENCE IN DAILY LIFE – (1) We know the “True” Jesus and God’s “Revealed” Word. (2) We Trust the Power and Promise of the Gospel.
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ABIDING FOREVER IN GOD'S LIGHT AND IN THE FATHER'S LOVE (1Jn 2:7-17 * Message #4/14) 11-08-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). REVIEW & INTRODUCTION: (1) John’s Purpose for writing: (1Jn 1:3-4; 5:13) --> Christ-Centered Fellowship & Joy; --> Assurance of Eternal Life. (2) “The Message” in 1st John (1Jn 1:5-7 & 1Jn 3:11; 4:8) --> God is Light: so Walk in the Light; --> Love one Another: for God is Love. (3) Fellowship with God defined (1Jn 1:1 – 2:6) --> Revealed & Experienced thru Jesus Christ (& His Church); --> Walking in the Light with Jesus Christ our Advocate (Not living in/controlled by sin - yet still acknowledging our sin); --> Keeping God’s Commandments (as God’s love is perfected in us and by Walking as Jesus did). SUMMARY OF 1st JOHN: God transforms our lives by revealing Himself to us thru the person of Jesus Christ. This transforming-revelation is received by faith in Christ and thru obedience to His word, and it leads to (and is experienced within) the Christ-centered fellowship of the church. Within this fellowship we experience His joy & love; we walk in victory over sin, the world, and the devil; and we are assured of our eternal life, as we look forward to His second coming and our abiding with the Father forever. ABIDING FOREVER IN GOD’S LIGHT – (1) By Knowing God’s Word (vs7-8): --> God’s Word is Ancient yet New; --> God’s Word is Fully Revealed in Jesus Christ. (2) By Loving One Another (vs9-11): --> Hating one another is Living in Darkness; --> Loving one another is Abiding in God’s Light. ABIDING FOREVER IN THE FATHER’S LOVE – (1) By Knowing who we are in Christ and Living Victoriously (vs12-14): (2) By Doing the Will of God not Loving the Sinfulness of the World (vs15-17).
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THE GOD-BREATHED SCRIPTURES: Our Unshakable Rock and Our Certain Truth (2Tim 3:14ff) 11-01-09
[Notes: 1st, This audio recording came out somewhat distorted: sorry! 2nd, This is a topical message on Paul's teaching in 2Tim 3 that all Scripture is God-breathed: thinking thru this in light of other Scriptures and considering external evidence that supports this biblical truth]. INTRODUCTION: (1) God’s word is an unshakable Rock in the Storms of Life: Hear God’s Word and Obey it! (2) The Gospel is our Certain Truth in an Uncertain World: Trust the Gospel & Proclaim it! (3) Background to today's text: Paul’s Charge to Timothy (related to God’s word/the gospel): guard the deposit entrusted to you (2Tim 1:14); Entrust it to reliable men who will teach others (2:2); Remember Christ/the Gospel for which Paul is in chains, but God’s word is not chained! (2:8-9); correctly handle the word of truth (2:15); continue in the Scriptures (3:14); preach the word (4:1). THE INTERNAL WITNESS OF THE BIBLE (as the God-breathed Scriptures): (1) The Theology of the Bible (what the Bible says about itself. (2) How the Bible was Written. (3) The Bible according to Jesus (what Jesus had to say about the Scriptures). (4) Application: God’s word is an unshakable Rock in the Storms of Life: Hear God’s Word and Obey it! SOME EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF THE BIBLE (as the God-breathed Scriptures): (1) The Canon of Scripture. (2) The Reliability of the Bible. (3) Bible Translations into other Languages. (4) Application: The Gospel is our Certain Truth in an Uncertain World: Trust the Gospel & Proclaim it!
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OUR VICTORY OVER SIN AND OUR CHRIST-CENTERED ASSURANCE IN LIFE (1 John 1:5-2:2 * Message #3/14) 10-18-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). INTRODUCTION: SOME KEY DEFINITIONS – The Definitions below are taken from: {1} “Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms” by Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling; {2} “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem; and {3} “1-3 John” by Robert W. Yarbrough. SIN: “The fundamental unbelief, distrust and rejection of God and human displacement of God as the center of reality. The Bible presents sin as both fallen humanity’s state of separation and alienation from God and as a person’s purposeful disobedience to God’s will as evidence in concrete thought or act. As an inherent part of the human condition sin is universal, and it is both corporate and individual.” {1}. ATONEMENT (atone means “to make amends”): what God has done thru the life and death of Jesus Christ to remedy the human problem of sin {1}, leading to the salvation of His people. It includes two key concepts: propitiation (“a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor” {2}); and expiation (the covering of sins and the cancelling of debts {1}). ADVOCATE: translated from the Greek word paraklētos (par-ak'-lay-tos) which means helper, or intercessor. (Other definitions: a righteous intercessor; a legal assistant who intercedes; an advocate who assists a sinner seeking forgiveness; a mediator who assists a sinner seeking remission of penalty at the temple; an advocate who gains a hearing for you {3}). The NIV translates this word as “one who speaks to the father in our defense.” RIGHTEOUS: As a noun, it means one who stands in a right relationship with God and whose life is in line with the will and nature of God. “Righteousness” is the doctrine that “God always acts in accordance with what is right and that he himself is the final standard of what is right” {2}. In 1st John 2:1, Jesus is called “the righteous.” The NIV translates this as “the righteous one” and the NLT replaces the word “righteous” with this phrase: “the one who pleases God completely.” PROPITIATION: (see definition above under “Atonement”) translated from the Greek word hilasmos (hil-as-mos') which means “an atoning sacrifice” (NIV/NRSV). This word is translated “propitiation” in the ESV/NASB, as “expiation” in the RSV, and as “the sacrifice that takes away” in the NLT. SUMMARY: “While Jesus’s death certainly has the effect of expiating sin (wiping away its penalty), it is difficult to avoid the impression that it also propitiates (turns away the wrath of) God’s promised punishment of sin and sinners whose transgressions are not atoned for on the last day–a day of condemnation spoken of by Jesus in John 12:48” {3}. LIVE IN VICTORY OVER SIN – 1st, By Knowing God and Walking in the Light: v1 (see 1Jn 1:5-10) [John’s Purpose: I write these things that that you may not sin]. 2nd, Thru Jesus Christ our Advocate: vs1-2 [The Righteous One/the Propitiation for Our Sins]. 3rd, By Seeking Holiness with Humility: vs1-2 [Live a holy life in Christ & Humbly seek His forgiveness daily]. LIVE WITH CHRIST-CENTERED ASSURANCE – 1st, Our Relationship with Christ: vs3-4 [We know that we know Christ if we keep His Commandments]. 2nd, Our Perfection in Christ: vs3-5 [We know God’s love is perfected in us if we keep His word] “Made complete” [perfected] means that the Christian’s love is entire and mature … To receive and obey God’s word is to be made perfect in love; the thought of pleasing and serving God is supreme in the Christian’s motives and molds his conduct … We must bear in minds two things: first, that perfection is not incompatible with further progress and development, and second, that John’s statement here must be place (paradoxically) alongside his earlier assertion that it is wrong for us to say “we are without sin.” (The Epistles of John, by I. Howard Marshall). 3rd, Our Life in Christ: vs5-6 [We know we are in Christ if we walk like Jesus did].
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Sermon Recording for 10-11-09 failed. Sorry! WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST NOT IN THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD (1 John 1:1-10 * Message #2/14)
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). *The Outlines below are adapted from “John” & “Letters of John” by Gary M. Burge. These Outlines also include themes taken from “1-3 John” by Robert W. Yarbrough. AN OUTLINE* OF 1ST JOHN: (God is Light & God is Love). --> Prologue/Introduction (1Jn 1:1-4): The Revelation of God in Christ (and John’s purpose in writing: for believers to have Fellowship & Joy). --> This is the Message (1Jn 1:5 - 3:10): God is Light so Walk in the Light (see 1Jn 1:5 “This is the message…”). --> This is the Message (1Jn 3:11 - 5:12): Love One Another for God is Love (see 1Jn 3:11 & 1Jn 4:11,16). --> Epilogue/Conclusion (1Jn 5:13-21): John’s explanation for writing – To give believers Assurance of Eternal Life (and confidence in daily life). SIMILARITIES* IN “THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN” & “1ST JOHN”. --> Prologue in John (John 1:1-18): Jesus Christ is the Incarnate-Word Revealed [Prologue in 1st John (1Jn 1:1-4): Jesus Christ is the Incarnate-Word Revealed]. --> The Book of Signs (John 1:19-12:1ff): Jesus is the Light of the world [This is the Message (1Jn 1:5 - 3:10) God is Light: so Walk in the Light]. --> The Book of Glory (John 13:1-20:29): Jesus’ Love for His Disciples [This is the Message (1Jn 3:11- 5:12) Love one another for God is Love]. --> Epilogue in John (John 20:30-21:25) John writes so we may Have Eternal Life [Epilogue in 1st John (1Jn 5:13-21): John writes to give us Assurance of Eternal Life]. GOSPEL REVELATION: “GOD IS LIGHT AND WE ARE SINNERS” – 1st, Believe God’s Self-disclosed Revelation: thru Jesus Christ v2 (a review from last week’s message on vs1-4). 2nd, Know the Character of God: God is Light vs2, 5, 9 (He is Eternal, Personal, Faithful and Just). 3rd, Embrace the Biblical Theology of Sin: Sin’s Nature & Universality (we are all sinners) vs6, 8, 10. GOSPEL LIVING: “WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST NOT IN THE DARKNESS OF SIN” – 1st, Live in Christ-Centered Fellowship (vs3, 7): Abide in God’s Truth & His Word (vs6, 10). 2nd, Confess Our Sins (vs6, 8, 9, 10): Acknowledgement and Repentance of Sin. 3rd, Experience Forgiveness and Cleansing (vs7, 9): Conversion & Sanctification.
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LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST: THRU OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (1 John 1:1-4 * Message #1/14) 10-04-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). INTRODUCTION TO 1ST JOHN (& the Letters of John): 1) AUTHOR: THE APOSTLE JOHN (who wrote the Gospel of John, 2nd & 3rd John, & Revelation). Early church sources acknowledge John’s authorship, as does internal testimony (comparing 1st John to the Gospel of John, etc). 2) DATE AND RECIPIENTS: A.D. 70-90?; --> To a Congregation near Ephesus? (northwest of Israel); --> A Church suffering Turmoil within (This congregation is possibly approaching its last hour: Some within the congregation were undermining John’s theology (i.e. his Gospel), living in sin & spiritual pride, not loving each other, and there was a group that had already left the church). 3) PURPOSE FOR WRITING: FOR FELLOWSHIP & JOY (that the believers would walk in Christ-centered fellowship and the joy that comes with it). At the same time, John is responding to the various problems listed above. --> Fellowship: “John did not want a church that was orthodox [believing right] but unloving, any more than he wanted a church that misrepresented Jesus Christ. He wanted both –sound doctrine and vibrant community – and he refused to settle for less.” (Gary M. Burge, "Letters of John"). --> Joy: “He has the heart of a pastor which cannot be completely happy so long as some of those for whom he feels responsible are not experiencing the full blessings of the gospel” (I. Howard Marshall, "The Epistles of John"). 4) MAJOR THEMES IN JOHN’S LETTERS (see the Theme at the top of the page): --> Knowing God thru the Person of Christ (God is light and God is love); --> Experiencing the Joy-filled Fellowship of Christ (with the Father, the Son, and each other); --> Living in the Victory of Christ (Overcoming sin, the world, and the devil); --> Abiding by Faith in Christ (by Practicing righteousness, Loving each other, Turning from sin, thru the Testimony of the Spirit, by Believing Jesus is God's Son); --> Loving One Another in Christ (as God has loved us, by sharing what we have and by laying down our lives for each other); --> Walking in the Truth of Christ (by Knowing Jesus Christ, thru the Teaching of the Holy Spirit, thru Obedience to God's Word, by Standing against false teachers, and by Supporting ministers of the Gospel). KNOWING GOD REVEALED THRU THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST (vs1-2). --> Believe in Jesus Christ: (as the Word of Life/the Eternal Life); --> Believe in the Incarnation: (God the Son becomes a Man); --> Believe in the historical Jesus: (this is Foundational to our Christian Faith); --> Believe in the Apostolic Witness: (recognize the Importance of Eye-witness Testimony). TAKING JOHN’S WORD TO HEART (vs3-4) John’s Gospel-driven Purpose: --> Living Christ-centered Fellowship; --> John’s Pastoral-driven Goal: Experiencing Christ-centered Joy.
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FEARING THE LORD AND BELIEVING GOD'S PROMISE (Malachi 3:13-4:6 * Message #6/6) 09-27-09
INTRODUCTION TO TODAY’S MESSAGE --> RELEVANCE TO OUR DAILY LIVES: 1st, Taking to heart God’s coming judgment; 2nd, Understanding God’s promises; and 3rd, Finding comfort and hope in the trials of daily life by encouraging one another with God's promise of the coming eternal glory. -->THE SIX DISPUTATIONS IN MALACHI (in chiasmic form) A. GOD’S LOVE & ISRAEL’S EXPERIENCE: (1:1-5) Israel is rebuked for doubting God’s love. In spite of her unfaithfulness, the LORD still loved Israel, but she was not experiencing His love because she was living sinfully and focused on her troubled circumstances, rather than knowing the LORD and living godly lives. B. GOD’S NAME & ISRAEL’S BEGRUDGING OFFERINGS: (1:6-2:9) the ungodly priests are rebuked for allowing Israel to give half-hearted offerings which dishonored the LORD’s Name among the other nations (the exact opposite of Israel’s purpose for being His people: being a light for the Gentiles). C. GOD’S FAVOR & ISRAEL’S UNGODLY MARRIAGES: (2:10-16) the LORD was withholding His favor from Israel because she was unfaithful in her covenantal relationship with her God (allowing her men to marry women outside of the Jewish faith & divorcing their Jewish wives in the process: which included treating them violently, shamefully, and with neglect). C’ GOD’S JUSTICE & ISRAEL’S UNGODLY LIVING: (2:17-3:5) Israel is rebuked for questioning God’s justice (based on her troubled circumstances), when in reality it was she who was living unjustly (embracing sorcery, committing adultery, and oppressing the needy). But God will purify His people who repent and bring judgment on those who do not (thru the coming of Christ). B’ GOD’S FAITHFULNESS & ISRAEL’S BEGRUDGING OFFERINGS: (3:6-12) This time all of Israel is rebuked for giving half-heartedly in offerings to God, and she is admonished to return to the LORD in whole-hearted worship & offerings. Those who do will find God to be faithful in His unchanging character. A’ GOD’S PROMISE & ISRAEL’S EXPERIENCE: (3:13-4:6) Israel is warned about the coming judgment amidst her blasphemous charge that God blesses those who do evil. Those who fear & serve the LORD are His “treasured possession” and will one day be exalted above those who do not. --> MESSAGE/DISPUTATION #6: The LORD’s elective love is disputed but will be vindicated (thru His Judgments and in the fulfillment of His Promise). FEARING THE LORD --> when other “Church People” & our world does Not (vs13-15); --> thru Fellowship with other “God-fearing Believers” (v16); --> as the “Treasured Possession” of the Living God (vs16-18). BELIEVING GOD’S PROMISE --> in Light of the “Coming Judgment” and “our Blessed Hope” (vs1-3); by Remembering “Covenantal Faithfulness” thru our Faith in Jesus Christ (v4); -->by Taking to Heart “the Prophetic Word” (vs 5-6 and all of Malachi).
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LIVING A CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE AND EXPERIENCING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS (Malachi 3:6-12 * Message #5/6) 09-13-09
INTRODUCTION 1) Relevance to our Daily Lives: Experiencing God's faithfulness during troubled times thru a relationship with Jesus Christ (evidenced by sincere worship and generous giving by faith). 2) Message/Disputation #5: Israel’s begrudging Offerings are condemned as God’s Faithfulness is affirmed. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS COVENANT 1) Knowing the LORD who is Faithful v6. 2) Understanding Covenantal Faithfulness vs6-7. 3) Returning to God thru Faithfulness in Offerings vs7-10. 4) Enjoying Covenantal Blessings vs10-12. LIVING A CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE 1) In General: --> Come to Jesus; --> Hear & Obey His Word; --> Rejoice & Pray. 2) Thru Faithful & Generous Offerings (“Principles of Tithing & NT Giving”): --> giving 10% of your Income; --> giving your First-fruits in Worship; --> giving by Faith with Cheerful Hearts; --> giving to and thru the Local Church (for Ministers & those in Need). 2) Experiencing God’s Faithfulness (principles taken from the Apostle Paul): --> Paul’s Strength in Christ amidst Suffering and Weakness; --> Paul’s Contentment in Christ amidst Modest Living; --> Paul’s Faith in Christ and Warning against the Love of Money; --> Paul’s Confidence in Christ when Facing Death.
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