SERMON NOTES :: Sunday, November 23, 2014 - Standing on the Promises of God

Mars Hill Fellowship Church Nov 24, 2014

MESSAGE |

Standing on the Promises of God

SERIES |

From Promise to Provision

SCRIPTURE |

Psalms 145:13b

SPEAKER |

Pastor Joseph Ardayfio

KEY THEME |

I.  The Word of God declares that God has given us very great and precious promises. (2 Peter 1:4)

II. This week, we are examining 10 key promises from God that we should plant in our hearts. This is not an exhaustive list but represents important promises for living an abundant life.

    1. Psalms 145:13b reminds us that, “the LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”
    2. The promises of God are contingent on our obedience to one condition: making Jesus Christ Lord of our lives and repenting of our sins.
      1. We are a society that likes to receive benefits without accepting responsibility. However, in the kingdom of God, we cannot share in the full blessings of God’s promises without taking the step of faith to make Jesus Christ Lord of our lives.
      2. The Scriptures remind us of a simple yet profound promise of God: salvation. Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Salvation doesn’t come by good works, family association, or earthly sacrifices.

II.  1 – When I believe in Christ Jesus, I have eternal life (John 3:15-16)

    1. John 3:15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
    2. This promise assures us that we have more to live for than this life alone. The Apostle Paul said that “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)

III.  2 – I am loved beyond measure (Psalms 100:5 + Romans 8:37-39)

    1. Psalms 100:5  For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
    2. Romans 8:37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    3. Most of us confuse love and acceptance. Believers are accepted by God despite our flaws but God expects us to grow in His likeness each and every day. True love propels us to obey God’s instructions and grow in our relationship with Him.

IV.  3 – I have what I need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3 + Psalm 84:11)

    1. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
    2. Psalm 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
    3. God is always ready to give us His best. If life seems that we don’t have what we need, we should ask God to show us His provision and teach us how to maximize it in our lives.

V.   4 - I have the faith to endure because God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13 + Philippians 1:6)

    1. 1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
    2. Philippians 1:6  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

VI.  5 - I have the power to walk out my calling in Christ Jesus (Acts 1:8)

    1. Acts 1:8  You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

VII.  6 – I have been granted peace in Christ Jesus (Isaiah 26:3)

    1. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you

VIII. 7 – I have access to the Father and answers to my prayers (John 15:7)

    1. John 15:7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you
    2. The pre-requisite for a fulfilling prayer life is an understanding that God will is sovereign over all things. When the heart of our prayer is “God’s will be done,” it enables us to see answered prayer.  Jesus shared with his disciples that they did not have what they asked for because they asked amiss. In these cases, the motivation for their request may have been wrong or their desire may not have be in alignment with God’s eternal will.

IX.  8 – I am growing through my sufferings (1 Peter 5:10)

    1. 1 Peter 5:10 - "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
    2. This promise lets us know that God never wastes righteous suffering. 1 Peter 3 reminds us that  if we should suffer for righteousness’ sake, we will be blessed.

X.  9 – I have a reservoir of brand new mercies each day (Lamentations 3:22-23)

    1. Lamentations 3:22Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

XI.  10 – I have no shame in making Jesus Christ Lord! (Romans 10:11)

    1. Romans 10:11  As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
    2. How do we know that everything that God asks of us is worth it? Because God promises that at the end of it all, everything will be put in its proper context. Though we may not see immediate fruit, God is always working to bring his glory into the earth.

 

Sermon: Seedtime and Harvest