I resumed my study of the Ten Commandments this past Sunday with a message on the seventh commandment. Yes, where's still counting number seven!Here is the sermon skeleton... Title: "Keeping Pleasure in its Place" Text: Exodus 20:14Series: The Ten Commandments: Loving God, Loving Your Neighbor Theme: The sanctity of marriage and sex Point: Do not have sex with any person you are not married to. Outline: I. Do not commit literal adultery: To commit adultery is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place. II. Do not commit moral adultery: To commit fornication is to put pleasure beyond its God-designed place....

I am preaching through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) on Wednesday nights. Last night, I complete the introductory section - The Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12).The next section of the passage in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus describes the influence his disciples should have on the world for the kingdom of heaven. Using to gripping and dynamic word pictures, Jesus declares, "You are the salt of the earth" (5:13) and "You are the light of the world" (5:14-16).Following this paragraph, I will be venturing into new ground in my exposition. Over the past two months, I have taken a...

Last Sunday, I continued my study of the book of Philippians. I covered the first portion of Paul's testimony, in which he discusses his conversion from Judaism to Christianity. What a text! Here is the skeleton from Sunday's sermon. TITLE: “Lay Your Religion Down” TEXT: Philippians 3:4-9 SERMON SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL THEME: The dynamics of Christian conversion POINT: Lay your religion down! OUTLINE: I. Paul’s past confidence in his flesh (3:4-6) A. Paul boasting about his confidence in the flesh (v. 4) A. A confession (v. 4a) B. A challenge (v. 4b) B. Paul basis for confidence...

I continued my new study of the Sermon on the Mount. I am presently through the Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5:3-12. What a challenge it is to wrestle with the demands of Jesus. My soul is being stretched and my mind is being renewed. I pray the congregation of SMBC is being blessed by the study so far. Here is the sermon skeleton from last night's message: Title: "Strength Through Meekness" Text: Matthew 5:5 Series: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Theme: The blessedness of meekness Point: God blesses the person who lives with confidence that God is...

Last week I started a study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in our midweek services at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. The first section of the message records the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matt. 5:3-12), in which Jesus announces those who exhibit certain kingdom attributes blessed. Last week, we studied the first beatitude on “the poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). Last night, the blessing Jesus announces on those who “mourn” (Matt. 5:4). Here is the sermon skeleton from last night’s message. TITLE: “The Blessing of Brokenness”TEXT: Matthew 5:4 SERMON SERIES: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)THEME: The blessedness...

Tonight, I began a new Wednesday night sermon series through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I had planned on doing another series, on "Total-Life Stewardship." It was very eager to get that study going. But I just could not get a green light to start it. I trust that the Lord will allow me to get to it at another time. For the meantime, I will be in the Sermon on the Mount for a while. I plan to cover the entire passage. And I do not intend to rush through it. I need to spend this time...

This past Sunday, I preached from Philippians 2:16-18. I entitled the message, “How to be a Living Sermon.” I labeled the sermon based upon a poem that I had read by an anonymous author. But for some reason, I did not have the guts to quote the poem in either of my two sermon presentations Sunday. But, apparently, I do have the guts to publish it here. So here it is: I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more...

This past Sunday, I concluded my study of Philippians chapter 1 with a message on verses 29-30, entitled, "The Gift of Suffering." Here is the sermon skeleton:TITLE: “The Gift of Suffering” TEXT: Philippians 1:29-30SERIES: PHILIPPIANS: PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL THEME: The gift of suffering POINT: Christian suffering is a gift from God to be embraced and endured with joy. TRANSITION: Consider with we me three things these two verses teach us about Christian suffering. OUTLINE: I. The privilege of Christian suffering (1:29)A. Belief in Christ is a gift from God: "For it has been granted to you for the sake...

Last night, I concluded my brief study of the Old Testament book of Jonah with a message on chapter 4, entitled, "God Is Bigger Than You Think." I have been stretched, challenged, and encouraged by studying Jonah over the past four weeks. And I pray that the saints of SMBC have been enriched and edified through the ministry of the word. Here is the skeleton from last night's message: Title: "God Is Bigger Than You Think" Text: Jonah 4:1-11Series: Jonah: God Won't Take No For An AnswerTheme: The Sovereign Mercy of God Point: God is bigger than you think. Outline:...

This Sunday, I continued by study of the book of Philippians with a message on chapter 1, verses 22-26. Here is the sermon skeleton:Philippians 1:22-26 is the final portion of Paul’s report to the Philippians about his personal circumstances and missionary work. In verses 12-18, Paul looks back and remembers what the Lord had done through his life and ministry. In verses 19-26, he looks ahead and anticipates what the Lord will do through his life and ministry. In verse 19-21, Paul speaks about the future with great confidence. Yet his confidence is tempered with uncertainty. In our text, verses...

Last night, I continued my exposition of the book of Jonah with a message on the entire third chapter. One more chapter to go. Here is the skeleton from last night's message: Title: "God Wants To Give You Another Chance" Text: Jonah 3:1-10 Theme: The Mercy of GodPoint: God wants to give you another chance. Outline: I. God wants to give you another chance to change your ways (3:1-4).II. God wants to give you another chance to change the world (3:5-10). A. God's word can change the world (vv. 3-4) B. God's power can change the world (vv. 5-9) 1....

Here is the sermon skeleton from the sermon I preached this past Sunday morning on Romans 5:3-5. Title: “We Rejoice In Our Sufferings” Text: Romans 5:3-5Theme: The Christian Response to SufferingPoint: We rejoice in our suffering. Outline: I. The reality of Christian suffering There are four major reasons why the Lord allows suffering in the lives of Christians: A. An act of divine chastisement (Heb. 12:6-11)B. A platform for God’s glory (John 9:1-4) C. The result of spiritual warfare (Job) D. The means of spiritual growth (Romans 5:3-5)II. The response to Christian suffering A. We rejoice in our sufferings B....