Sermon Outlines for Sunday September 14, 2009

Morning: The Great Name of God, Malachi 1:6-11
Notice v11--"...for my name shall be great among the heathen..." We have been entrusted with the great name of God and we need to ensure that God's name is great among the heathen. They may not believe in God, but they should believe that your God is real, that your God is great. They can see that when:
A. You Have The Right Worship, Mal 1:7-9; Jn 4:24
B. You Have The Right Fear, Honor, Reverence, Mal 1:6
C. You Have The Right Devotion, Mal 1:11
D. You Have The right Offering, Mal 1:7-10, Rom 12:1-2

Sunday Evening: Wounded, Zechariah 13:6
What should we do when we get wounded in the house of our friends? What do we do when people we love betray us, criticize us, mock us, etc.? (Note: Personally when I receive a criticism I take a step back and get a panoramic view of the criticism. Remember, God spoke to Balaam through the mouth of an ass, so He can speak to us through the mouth of an ass [no pun intended]. For example, the most recent criticism/accusation I've received was that I was too proud. So, I took a step back and realized that if we are honest about it we all have a pride issue that we should make every effort to put down. Therefore I asked the person if he had an example of when my ugly pride had reared its ugly head, since I am attempting to keep that pride down. He could not come up with one single example. I gave him an opportunity to come before the church, but he refused. He left the church. Last I heard he was back boozing and drugging.)
A. Don't Get Bitter, Heb 12:15. Don't lose a wink of sleep over it. If you're right with God, it doesn't matter what the criticism is. And if the criticism has validity, then get right with God, then get some rest, ha!
B. Finish The Job, Mat 26:65-67. When the Lord Jesus was spit on, He didn't quit but went to the cross and finished His work. Someone pointed out an interesting observation to me: most, not all, but most of the people that have come through the Lord's work in Rialto and left have jumped from church to church to church. They have never been stable in one church long enough to make a commitment. They've stayed one to two, maybe three years, then move because the Lord has "moved" them. They didn't make a commitment and were never loyal to any work. "A double minded man..." you know the rest. What do you do? Finish the job, don't quit, keep moving forward!
C. Look For The Promise, Heb 11:32-40. When it is all done, it won't matter. Look for the promise of His coming...Amen!