Outline Attached Below
Never Look Back
I. "Remember Lot's Wife." (Luk 17:32) is one of the shortest verses in the Bible.
1. Don't despise small things, though (Zec 4:10).
2. Some important verses in the Bible are very short. Consider the following profound, yet concise verses:
A. "Jesus wept." (Joh 11:35)
B. "Rejoice evermore." (1Th 5:16)
C. "Pray without ceasing." (1Th 5:17)
D. "Quench not the Spirit." (1Th 5:19)
E. "Brethren, pray for us." (1Th 5:25)
3. Wise men let their words be few (Pro 17:27-28).
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon from Psa 37 exhorting himself and the brethren to "fret not thyself" because of the evildoers who have locked down the country.
One Thing
I. There are many things that we have to devote our time, thoughts, and energies to.
1. Husbands have to spend much of their time and energy working to provide for their families (2Th 3:10-12; 1Ti 5:8).
2. Women have to spend much of their time and energy taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, doing dishes and laundry, and caring for children (1Ti 5:14; Tit 2:3-5).
Austin Hatcher preached a sermon on contentment wherein he covered numerous practical areas of life where Christians often struggle with being content.
In this Bible study, Pastor Wagner answers questions on why the KJV is the word of God, the horseleach's daughters, women praying publicly, answering for our sins on judgment day, yoga, killing animals for no reason, and much more.
The outline is attached at the bottom of the page.
Check out these sermons as well: Dealing With Problems in the Church.
Dealing With a Beef With Your Pastor
I. You are supposed to highly esteem your pastor in love for his work's sake (1Th 5:12-13).
1. If you do this there will be peace in the church (1Th 5:13).
2. You should entreat your pastor like a father, not rebuke him (1Ti 5:1).
3. You should hold your pastor in high regard (Php 2:29).
II. Don't despise your pastor if he rebukes you.
The outline is attached at the bottom of the page.
Fear Not Little Flock
I. God's true churches are often small in number.
1. Jesus had a little flock that it was God the Father's good pleasure to give His kingdom to (Luk 12:32).
A. Jesus preached to thousands of people (Mat 5:1-2).
B. But only very few stuck with him faithfully.
C. When He preached hard doctrine, most turned back (Joh 6:66-68).
D. His first communion service only had 13 participants including Himself (Luk 22:14-15).
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God The outline is attached at the bottom of the page.
Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
I. Keep looking forward.
1. This has been a sad ending for the Minneapolis Church.
2. Though this is the end of the Minneapolis Church, it should not be the end of your Christian walk.
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Satan (Part 08) - Resisting Satan For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Satan To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: (Part 7)
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Satan (Part 07) - Satan's Tactics For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Satan To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: (Part 6)
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Hollywood is Full of Devils This sermon is an excerpt from part 6 of the sermon series on Satan: Satan The outline for this sermon is attached below.
Hollywood is Full of Devils
I. Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2)
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Satan (Part 04) - Satan's Attributes (Part B) For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Satan To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: (Part 3)
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Satan (Part 03) - Satan's Attributes (Part A) For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Satan To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: (Part 2)
To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems The outline is attached below.
Dealing With the Death of a Loved One
I. Saying goodbye is hard.
1. The disciples were sad when Jesus told them that He would be leaving them (Joh 16:5-6).
2. The brethren wept when Paul left and would see them no more (Act 20:36-38).
3. Mary and Martha were filled with grief when their brother Lazarus died (Joh 11:32-33).
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Satan (Part 2) - Satan's Fall For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Satan To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: (Part 1)
To learn more about Sovereign Grace, click here: Sovereign Grace The outline is attached below.
Irresistible Grace vs. Irresistible Gospel
I. One of the Calvinistic "doctrines of grace" and petals of the TULIP is Irresistible Grace.
1. It is true that God's grace is irresistible, but what Calvinists mean when they say irresistible grace is actually irresistible gospel.
Pastor Wagner preached a sermon in the Excelsior Springs Church on how to deal with depression and stress.
To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Satan (Part 01) - Satan's Origin For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Satan To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: (Part 2)
Satan, His Tactics, and His War With God and His People
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Serving God From The Heart The outline is attached at the bottom of this page.
Serving God from the Heart
I. Our worship of God must come from both the head and the heart.
1. It's important for our faith and practice to be "by the book" (Mat 28:19-20; 1Co 11:2).
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: I Am With Thee The outline is attached at the bottom of this page.
I Am With Thee
I. In the scriptures, the LORD said to His people ten times, "I am with thee."
1. Before we look at this blessed promise, how do we know if it applies to us personally and individually?
For a sermon series on Hell click here: Hell. The outline is attached at the bottom of this page.
Annihilation Refutation
I. The wicked will be punished with eternal damnation (Mar 3:29).
1. Eternal - 3. a. Infinite in future duration; that always will exist; everlasting, endless. The New Testament expressions eternal life, death, punishment, etc. are here referred to sense 3, this being the sense in which the adj. in such contexts is ordinarily taken.
A copy of the outline in both MS Word and PDF is attached at the bottom of the page.
Visiting Other Churches
I. The purpose of going to church
1. To worship God in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:23-24).
2. To learn God's truth from the scripture (Act 2:42; Eph 4:11-12; Act 20:20, 27).
3. To pray to God (Act 2:42).
4. To fellowship with other believers (Act 2:42).
5. To sing praises to God (Col 3:16).
6. To keep the ordinances (1Co 11:2).
7. To be edified, exhorted, admonished, and rebuked (2Ti 4:2).
In this Bible study, Pastor Wagner answers questions for nearly two hours on KJV vs Modern Versions, Giants in Gen 6, The Purpose of the Reprobate, and much more.
Prayer
The outline is attached below in Word and PDF formats.
I. In order for our prayers to be effective, they must be made according to the scriptures.
II. Christians should pray always in every situation and throughout the day, staying in continual communion with God (1Th 5:17; Luk 6:12; Luk 18:1; Act 12:5; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2).
1. We should pray before bed and when we get up.
2. Children should see their parents praying regularly, both in private and as a family.
III. We should pray before every meal (Joh 6:11; Mat 15:36).
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Baptist Bride Refutation (Part 1) For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Baptist Bride Refutation To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: (Part 2)
Baptist Bride Refutation
A copy of the outline in both MS Word and PDF is attached at the bottom of the page.
Sunday School and Children's Church
I. The origin of Sunday School.
A copy of the outline in both MS Word and PDF is attached at the bottom of the page.
I. The purpose of this study.
1. Identify this world famous woman.
2. Show that repentance and loving God is the result, not the cause, of eternal forgiveness of sin.
3. Show that repentance brings temporal forgiveness and salvation.
II. Who was this woman?
1. By comparing the parallel accounts given in the Gospels, it can be shown that the woman was Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus. (see table in the attached outline)
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Lawsuits and Suing To learn more about the Sovereign Grace, click here: Sovereign Grace
Lawsuits and Suing
I. Definitions
1. Lawsuit n. - A suit in law; a prosecution of a claim in a court of law.
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: The Promises to Abraham To learn more about the Sovereign Grace, click here: Sovereign Grace
The Promises to Abraham
I. God made several promises to Abraham.
1. God promised to make a great nation of Abraham and to make his name great (Gen 12:2).
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Salvation in a Nutshell - 1Pe 1:1-5 To learn more about the Sovereign Grace, click here: Sovereign Grace
Salvation in a Nutshell - 1Pe 1:1-5
I. The entire plan and execution of the eternal salvation of God's children is given in 1Pe 1:1-5.
1. The phases of the eternal salvation of man are as follows:
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Throw Away Your Strong's Concordance If you think you know Greek or Hebrew, click here and take this little test: Greekifiers To learn more about the corrupt modern Bible perversions, click here: Modern Bible Perversions
Throw Away Your Strong's Concordance
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Loneliness The outline is attached below.
Loneliness
I. Definitions
1. Loneliness - The quality or condition of being lonely. 1. Want of society or company; the condition of being alone or solitary; solitariness, loneness.
The outline is attached below.
In the World, But Not of the World
I. As Christians we have to live in this world.
1. We cannot entirely avoid the people of this world (1Co 5:9-10).
2. Jesus and His disciples lived in the world (Joh 17:11).
3. God wants us to be in this world for a time to be the salt and light of it (Joh 17:15 c/w Mat 5:13-16).
4. We can use this world, but not abuse it (1Co 7:31).
5. Abuse v. - 1. To disuse, give up. Obs. 2. a. To use improperly, to misuse; to make a bad use of, to pervert, or misemploy; to take a bad advantage of
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: The Brevity of LifeThe outline in Word and PDF formats is attached below.
The Brevity of Life
I. Our pilgrimage on this earth is short.
1. Our life on this earth is so short it is called a vapour (Jam 4:14).
Preached at the Excelsior Springs Church in Excelsior Springs, MO.
The outline is attached below.
How to Effectively Contend for the Faith by Following Jesus' Example (Joh 4:3-42)
I. We are commanded to earnestly contend for the faith (Jud 1:3).
II. How do we effectively contend for the faith?
1. We must follow the example of Jesus Christ (1Co 11:1).
2. We should walk as He walked (1Jo 2:6).
III. An example of how Jesus taught and defended the truth is found in (Joh 4:3-42).
1. In the course of His travels, Jesus ended up passing through Samaria (Joh 4:3-5).
Pastor Wagner preaches a sermon on Why We Use the KJV at the Excelsior Springs Church in Excelsior Springs, MO. The following topics are covered in this sermon: God's promise to preserve His word, the history of the King James Version and the modern English Bible per-versions, the families of manuscripts which underlie the KJV and the modern English per-versions, and verse comparisons between the KJV and the NIV. There is no outline for this sermon.
For more sermons on the Bible Version issue, check out: Bible Versions
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Principles and CharacterThe outline in Word and PDF formats is attached below.
Principles and Character
(This outline is based on Pastor Keith Hoover's sermon on Lack of Principle.)
I. Principles
Preached at the Ecclesiastical Law Center Pastors Conference in Mesick, MI.
The outline is attached below.
Focusing on What Really Matters as a Pastor
I. What really matters to me as a pastor?
1. Believing and teaching the truth (Psa 119:97; Psa 119:127-128; 2Ti 4:2).
2. Keeping God's commandments (Joh 14:15; Joh 14:21).
3. Seeing that the brethren are walking in truth (2Jo 1:4; 3Jo 1:3-4).
4. Worshipping Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:23-24).
5. Seeking God after the due order (1Ch 15:13).
Preached in the Cincinnati Church
The outline is attached below.
Be Not Conformed to This World
I. Christians are commanded to "be not conformed to this world" (Rom 12:2).
1. The Lord instructs us to be nonconformists.
A. Conform v. - 1. trans. To form, shape, or fashion according to some pattern, model, or instruction; to make of the same form or character, to make like.
B. We are therefore not to pattern our thoughts and behavior after the way of this world.
C. We should not look, act, and think like the people of this world.
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: House Church Movement
Sermon series on Biblical Church Government: One Pastor and Church Government
The House Church Movement
I. There is a difference between churches that meet in houses and "house churches."
1. Many of the early churches met in homes (Rom 16:5; 1Co 16:19; Col 4:15; Phm 1:2).
Watch the video of this Bible Study on YouTube: Dealing With Fear To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems
Dealing with Fear
I. Definitions
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Greet One Another With An Holy Kiss
Greet One Another With An Holy Kiss
(The content of this outline was taken from Pastor Tim Boffey's essay "The Holy Kiss.")
I. The New Testament commands brethren to greet each other with an holy kiss (Rom 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:26; 1Pe 5:14).
II. There are two important terms to define.
To learn more about Nonintervention, click here: Nonintervention Foreign Policy
The Judgment of God For Wars of Aggression -
David's Numbering of the People (2Sa 24 & 1Ch 21)
I. An examination of the account of David numbering Israel is necessary and profitable for the following reasons:
1. It shows us the serious nature of the crime of aggression and God's severe punishment of it.
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Feetwashing.
Feetwashing
I. Jesus commanded us to wash each other's feet (Joh 13:14-15).
II. Feetwashing is an ordinance of the church.
1. Jesus washed the disciples feet after they finished eating the first Lord's Supper (Joh 13:1-5).
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Five Love Languages (Part 2). For a master copy of the outline and the other sermons in the series, click here: Five Love Languages. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 1
Five Love Languages
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Five Love Languages (Part 1). For a master copy of the outline and the other sermons in the series, click here: Five Love Languages. To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2.
Five Love Languages
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Amish Beliefs and Practices. For a master copy of the outline is attached below.
Amish Beliefs and Practices
I. History
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Don't Waste Your Life (Part 4)A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 3
3. Spend time studying God's word and learning the truth.
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Pride and Self-Esteem (Part 2) - Biblical Self-EsteemA copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 1
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Pride and Self-Esteem (Part 1) - Pride is EvilA copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2
Pride and Self-Esteem
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Don't Waste Your Life (Part 3)A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 2
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Don't Waste Your Life (Part 2)A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 1
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Don't Waste Your Life (Part 1)A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2
Don't Waste Your Life
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A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 1To Listen on YouTube, click here: Not Easily Provoked (Part 2)
I. Why do we become easily provoked?
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A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2To Listen on YouTube, click here: Not Easily Provoked (Part 1)
Not Easily Provoked
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For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 6
Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: AliensA copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Aliens
I. Abraham the alien.
1. Abraham was a man of faith (Rom 4:3).
2. Abraham is the prototypical man of faith in the Bible.
A. Prototypical - Of the nature of or serving as a prototype; prototypal.
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: The Blessing of Abasement (Part 2)
II. The blessing of abasement for ministers
1. Abasement helps remind us of our weakness (2Co 11:21-30).
2. It reminds us that we are but mere earthen vessels (2Co 4:7).
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: The Blessing of Abasement (Part 1) - Learning How to Abound
The Blessing of Abasement
I. Abundance and abasement are the two extremes in which we often find ourselves (Php 4:11-12).
1. As ministers and Christians, we must learn how to abound.
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: The Five Kingdoms of God
The Five Kingdoms of God
I. There are five things in the scripture which are called the kingdom of God.
1. God's universal rule over all creation.
2. The Old Testament nation of Israel.
3. The elect, regenerate family of God.
4. The eternal state of glory.
To Listen on YouTube, click here: Remembering My Grandma, Joy Wagner
This sermon was preached in memory of my Grandma, Joy Wagner who was very dear to me and who died today, June 12th, 2016 at 94 years old.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
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A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: So You Want a King, Huh?
So You Want a King, Huh?
I. There are some today who are proponents of a monarchy, in which we would be ruled by a king.
1. They reason that it couldn't be worse than the form of government that we have now, and would probably be better.
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: God Our Ebenezer (1Samuel 7) (Part 2)
VI. 1Sa 7:5
1. Samuel told them to all gather at Mispeh and he would pray for them (1Sa 7:5).
2. Having a godly man pray for you is advantageous (Job 42:8-10).
3. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Jam 5:16).
VII. 1Sa 7:6
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To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With ProblemsA copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Dealing With Child Molestation and Child Sexual Abuse
Dealing With Child Molestation and Sexual Abuse
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For a master copy of the outline, click here: Jesus ChristTo Listen on YouTube, click here: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
I. The importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a core tenet of our faith (1Co 15:1-4).
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A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: The Form of the House (Eze 43:10-12)
The Form of the House - Eze 43:10-12
I. The prophet Ezekiel was told by God to show the house of God to Israel (Eze 43:10-11).
1. The purpose God gave for showing them the house was so "they may be ashamed of their iniquities" (v. 10).
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Paul on Mars' Hill (Part 2)
I. Successfully presenting the gospel to the unchurched heathen (v. 22-31).
1. Paul’s manner.
A. Paul was not afraid of, nor did he shy away from, rebuking these philosophers (v. 22-23).
B. Rebuking and reproving are an integral part of the ministry (2Ti 4:2).
A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Paul on Mars' Hill (Part 1)
Paul on Mars’ Hill (Acts 17:16-34)
I. This study should accomplish 4 primary things:
1. Show that many times God’s people are no different from the heathen.
2. Observe and relate to the nature and thinking of unconverted men.
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A copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Peter - From an Immature to a Mature Christian
Peter - From an Immature to a Mature Christian
I. The life of Peter is an interesting study for many reasons.
1. Peter started out as an unlearned fisherman.
2. Peter was immature in his early Christian life.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Natural LawTo Listen on YouTube, click here: Natural Law - Does it Exist and is it Biblical? (Part 2)
VI. What do men know naturally?
1. There are things that men know naturally (Jud 1:10).
2. Nature teaches us some things.
An indented copy of the outline in both Word and PDF formats is attached below.To Listen on YouTube, click here: Devil Possession, Mental Illness, and Bad Behavior (Part 3)
VIII. Can bad behavior cause mental illness?
1. Yes, it can.
2. As fallen sinful creatures, madness is naturally in our hearts (Ecc 9:3).
An indented copy of the outline in both Word and PDF formats is attached below.To Listen on YouTube, click here: Devil Possession, Mental Illness, and Bad Behavior (Part 2)
IV. How can a person be delivered from devil possession?
1. The apostolic gift of casting out devils ceased in 70AD.
A. Jesus had the power to cast out devils (Mat 8:16).
An indented copy of the outline in both Word and PDF formats is attached below.To Listen on YouTube, click here: Devil Possession, Mental Illness, and Bad Behavior (Part 1)
Devil Possession, Mental Illness, and Bad Behavior
I. This study will attempt to answer the following questions from the scripture:
1. Is devil possession real?
2. Can a child of God be possessed by a devil?
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To Listen on YouTube, click here: John 9 - An Illustration of Conversion and Contending for the Faith
Pastor Wagner preaches an extemporaneous sermon on John 9, showing an illustration of conversion and contending for the faith from the story of Jesus giving sight to a man who was blind from birth.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Deity of Jesus ChristTo Listen on YouTube, click here: The NIV Denies the Deity of Jesus Christ (Part 2)
2. Jehovah God used the phrase "I am he" a total of five times in the OT to declare that He was God (Isa 41:4; Isa 43:10; Isa 43:13; Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12).
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To Listen on YouTube, click here: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Pastor Wagner does an extemporaneous Bible study on Why Bad Things Happen to Good People.
For a master copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Civil Laws - To Obey or Not To Obey?
Civil Laws - To Obey or Not To Obey?
I. The Bible commands us to submit to and obey civil government.
1. Is there a limit to our submission?
2. If so, how do we determine when to obey and when not to obey?
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For a master copy of the outline can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. To Listen on YouTube, click here: Marijuana: Can Christians Smoke It?
I. The properties and effects of marijuana
1. Definitions
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Making Things Work
I. The church is building project.
1. Saints are told to be "building up yourselves on your most holy faith" (Jud 1:20).
2. Building up ourselves is contrasted with those who "separate themselves" (Jud 1:19).
3. The church is the body of Christ to which God has given a pastor to edify it (Eph 4:11-12).
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For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Story of BalaamTo Listen on YouTube, click here: Balaam (Part 05) - (Num 22:18-20) - God's Second Answer to Balaam
4. Balaam responds to Balak's request with a very pious sounding statement: he will not do anything less or more than God said, even for immense wealth (Num 22:18).
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.To Listen on YouTube, click here: Halloween - The Druids are the Real Reason for the Season
Halloween - The Druids are the Real Reason for the Season
I. Halloween is a dark, pagan, occultic festival in which no Christians, nor their children, should participate.
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A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.To Listen on YouTube, click here: Why Tarriest Thou? Arise and be Baptized
I. This is an admonition for those who have come to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ, but have not yet been baptized and added to a true and faithful church.
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For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Story of BalaamTo Listen on YouTube, click here: Balaam (Part 02) - (Num 22:1-4) - Balak's Irrational Fear
III. The story of Balaam (Numbers 22-25)
IV. Num 22:1-4 - Balak's irrational fear
1. Israel had just finished destroying the Amorites (Num 21:24-25, 31-32).
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A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Contentment and Thankfulness
I. My recent trip to the Philippines made me aware of the importance of the Christian attitude of contentment and thankfulness.
1. I saw:
A. Extreme poverty.
B. People living in shacks and shanties.
C. People living in 90+ degree heat with high humidity without air conditioning.
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Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on the The Rich Young Ruler in the Cavite Church in the Philippines. This sermon answers the question, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mar 10:17).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
11. The Anabaptists (3rd - 16th Century)
A. The Anabaptists as a named group arose in the early 1500s in Germany.
i. The term Anabaptist means one who re-baptizes.
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For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Story of BalaamTo Listen on YouTube, click here: Balaam (Part 01) - Intro - Balaam Was a Child of the Devil
I. The story of Balaam is an interesting study, from which many good life lessons can be drawn for us today.
II. Balaam was a child of the devil who is now in hell (2Pe 2:14-17).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
8. The Petrobrussians and Henricians (12th Century)
A. The Petrobrussians were named after their famous leader Peter de Bruys. They appeared in southern France in the early 12th century and numbered in the hundreds of thousands. After he was martyred, Peter was succeeded by a preacher named Henry, from which the name Henricians comes.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Another Jesus
10. His future plans:
A. The other "Jesus'" plans for the future are quite different from those of the real Jesus.
i. The other "Jesus" is going to return for the second time secretly and silently and he is going to "rapture" all of his people from earth and resurrect the righteous and take them to heaven with him for seven years.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
5. The Paulicians (7th - 11th Centuries)
A. The Paulicians were a continuation of the Donatists and were found in Armenia and the eastern Byzantine Empire, and even as far west as Rome and France.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Another Jesus
vi. Jesus methodically made an instrument of punishment and physically beat and destroyed the property of men who were perverting His religion (Joh 2:14-16; Luk 19:45-46).
a. Scourge n. - 1. a. A whip, lash. Now only rhetorical, with reference to the torturing of human beings, or to ascetic discipline.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
X. The lineage of true Baptist churches from the 1st to the 21st century
1. The first century churches
A. John the Baptist was the first Baptist (Mat 3:1).
i. John opened up the New Testament church era (Luk 16:16).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Another Jesus
C. In preserving His church:
i. The other "Jesus" built his church and said that it would last, but it went out of existence after a few hundred years when the Roman Catholic church apostatized, and remained so for over 1000 years until the Protestant reformation got it going again.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
V. Error in a church doesn't necessarily preclude a church from being a true church.
1. Consider some of the serious errors that were found in churches in the NT:
A. Lack of discipline in the church at Corinth (1Co 5:1-2).
B. Works-based salvation in the Galatian churches (Gal 1:6, 3:1-3; 5:1-4), and in the church at Jerusalem (Act 15:1).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
IV. The marks of a true church of Jesus Christ -- things to look for when looking for the true church throughout history.
1. Christ is the head and founder of the church.
A. Christ is the founder of the true church (Mat 16:18).
B. Christ is the only head of the true church (Eph 5:23).
2. The Bible is the sole authority of the church.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Another Jesus
6. His death:
A. The other "Jesus’" death and resurrection: he was crucified on Friday afternoon, spent one day and two nights in the grave, and rose again on Sunday morning at sunrise, not even close to fulfilling his own prophecy of his death.
B. The real Jesus’ death and resurrection.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Baptist Church History
Table of Contents
I. The purpose of this study.
II. The promise by God to preserve His church
III. The perpetuity of the ministry is inseparably connected to the perpetuity of the church.
IV. The marks of a true church of Jesus Christ.
1. Christ is the head and founder of the church.
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats and part 1 of the series can be found here: Money Management.
VII. It is indicative of a lack of spirituality or godliness if a Christian is poor because of laziness, wastefulness, foolishness, or imprudence.
1. If you are lazy, you will likely be poor (Pro 6:9-11; Pro 10:4; Pro 13:4; Pro 19:15; Pro 20:4; Pro 20:13; Pro 21:25; Pro 23:21).
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats and part 2 of the series can be found here: Money Management.
Money Management
I. Before we learn how to manage money, let's first learn what money is.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
I. The following facts often cause Christians to wonder how they should go about witnessing to unbelievers:
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
I. A church of Jesus Christ is more than just a group of people that meet together weekly to listen to a sermon.
1. A church is the body of Christ (1Co 12:27).
2. A church is the house of God (1Ti 3:15; 1Pe 2:5).
3. A church is the temple of God (1Co 3:16).
II. To be a church means being committed.
1. There is nothing more important in a Christian's life than to be in God's church.
A. A Christian should seek first the kingdom of God (Mat 6:33).
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
I. A misunderstanding of the judgment of God.
1. Christians often say that God will judge our country for allowing abortion and gay marriage.
2. The truth is that God has judged our country by allowing abortion and gay marriage.
II. An effective method of deception is to use euphemisms.
1. "When words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom." - Confucius
2. Abortion and gay marriage are both euphemisms.
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
I. Considering that some of you will certainly talk about the proper motivation for pastoring churches such as the ones we pastor, I want to discuss some things that should not motivate us to do what we do, namely:
1. Pride
2. Notoriety
3. Money
II. Pride
1. The first evil motivation for pastoring a church is pride.
In this Bible study Pastor Wagner teaches the brethren how to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1Pe 3:15) when answering the question of why we believe in God.
A master copy of the indented outline in both MS Word and PDF formats can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
I. Definitions
1. Fasting - 1. The action of the vb. fast; abstinence from food; an instance of this.
2. Fast v. - 1. a. intr. To abstain from food, or to restrict oneself to a meagre diet, either as a religious observance or as a ceremonial expression of grief.
II. The purpose of fasting
1. Fasting is a sign of humility (Psa 35:13).
2. Fasting is a means of chastening one's soul (Psa 69:10-11).
V. Pastors are supposed to teach, instruct, reprove, rebuke, exhort, and admonish their church members.
1. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life (Pro 6:23).
2. A primary job of a pastor is to reprove and rebuke (2Ti 4:2; 2Ti 3:16; Tit 2:15).
A. Reprove - 1. trans. To reject. 2. To express disapproval of (conduct, actions, beliefs, etc.); to censure, condemn. 3. To reprehend, rebuke, blame, chide, or find fault with (a person).
Pastoral Authority
I. Authority- 1. a. Power or right to enforce obedience; moral or legal supremacy; the right to command, or give an ultimate decision.
II. The derivation of pastoral authority.
1. All authority originates from God, and is given by God (Rom 13:1-2).
2. Power - II. As a person, body, or thing. 6. a. One who or that which is possessed of or exercises power, influence, or government; an influential or governing person, body, or thing; in early use, one in authority, a ruler, governor.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
Five Phases of Salvation
I. The means by which God saves men from their sins includes several phases beginning before the foundation of the world and ending at the end of time.
II. There are five distinct phases of God's plan of salvation, which are:
I. The origin of Easter
1. The name
A. The name Easter comes from the word Eostre (pronounced ee-stra or o-stra).
i. Easter: “Baeda Temp. Rat. xv. derives the word from Eostre, the name of a goddess whose festival was celebrated at the vernal equinox; her name shows that she was originally the dawn-goddess.” (Etymology of Easter, Oxford English Dictionary)
ii. "The English name Easter is of uncertain origin; Bede in the 8th century derived it from that of the Anglo-Saxon SPRING GODDESS EOSTRE." (caps mine - CEW) (Easter, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1968 Ed., Vol. 7, p.865)
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
4. The sabbath was given in Exo 16:22-30 before it was given in the ten commandments in Exo 20:8-11.
A. This supposedly proves that it was not just given to Israel.
B. It was given to Israel in both places, and it was only ever given to Israel (Exo 31:12-18).
5. Jesus kept the sabbath.
A. Of course He did! Jesus was a Jew living under the law of Moses.
B. Jesus also went to the Jewish feasts and kept the rest of the law of Moses perfectly.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
4. What about the prophets, psalms and proverbs?
A. The part of the Old Testament in our Bible which is specifically abolished is the law of Moses which included the old covenant and the commandments which were given to Israel.
i. 2Co 3:13 - And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
iv. 4th commandment - Remember the sabbath (Exo 20:8-11).
a. The sabbath commandment is the only one of the ten commandments that is not repeated in the NT.
b. The sabbath commandment was only ever given to the Jews (Exo 31:12-18).
c. References to Jesus and other keeping the sabbath in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) were all made before Jesus fulfilled and abolished the law of Moses, including the sabbath.
Pastor Wagner shows from the scripture how to deal with adversity, affliction, and persecution the way that Jesus did by loving our enemies, blessing them that curse us, praying for them that despitefully use us, and not rendering evil for evil. When we are persecuted the Lord stands with us and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able.
To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
VI. The transitional period between the resurrection of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70AD.
1. Christ officially and legally abolished the law of Moses when He died on the cross (Col 2:14 c/w Eph 2:15 c/w 2Co 3:13).
2. The New Testament which declared that the law was abolished was not written down by the apostles until 20-30 years later.
Pastor Wagner draws some lessons from the account of King Herod putting John the Baptist in prison and later beheading him (Mar 6:14-29), such as: telling the truth can get you thrown in prison, there is a time to rebuke the king, sinful vows should not be kept, and bad things sometimes happen to good and innocent people.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
V. The Abolition of the Old Testament
1. The law of Moses was only given to the nation of Israel (Psa 147:19-20; Rom 3:1-2).
A. The Gentile nations were never under the law of Moses.
B. Why would the Gentiles be put under the law of Moses (old testament) after Jesus came and abolished it by writing a new testament?
2. The law of Moses was added until the seed should come to whom the promise was made (Gal 3:19).
The preaching of the gospel is pleasing to God, whether it is preached to a child of God who receives it with joy, or to a reprobate who receives it with contempt. In this Bible study, Pastor Wagner shows that Jesus Christ is not some soft, syrupy, sissy man who avoided offending sinners, but is rather the sovereign God of the universe who expects sinners to come to Him on His terms, or not at all.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
D. The "old" or "first" testament/covenant is the law of Moses.
i. Each time the word "old" or "first" testament/covenant is used in the NT, it is referring to the law of Moses, such as the following:
a. The first covenant (Heb 8:7,9; Heb 9:1).
(i) The first covenant was the law of Moses which gave commandments concerning the Levitical priesthood (Heb 8:4) and instructions concerning the tabernacle (Heb 8:5).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: The Christian and the Old Testament
I. The purpose of this study.
1. There is a lot of confusion among professing Christians concerning the role of the Old Testament, and specifically the law of Moses, in the lives of Christians living under the New Testament.
2. Many believe that Christians today are required by God to keep the law of Moses, or at least some parts of it such as the sabbath or the dietary laws.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 5 To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 7
C. If a Christian's heart is right, his purpose in dating an unbeliever is to attempt to convert her.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 4 To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 6
VIII. Dating considerations for different age groups and statuses.
1. General considerations for all.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 3 To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 5
ix. Patience
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 2 To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 4
iv. Humility
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 1 To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 3
2. The purpose of dating (romantic dating) is to find a spouse.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Dating and Preparing For Marriage To listen to the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2
I. The topic of dating is important for all of us, regardless of our marital status.
1. This is a topic that we most often associate with teenagers and young men and women, but it is not limited to them.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
14. Error #16: There are different plans of redemption and different gospels for the Jews under the law and for the Gentiles under grace (this is held by some, though not all, Dispensationalists).
A. God has only ever had one plan and means of redemption for all people: grace.
i. God has always saved His people by the election of grace, both under the OT law of Moses, and in NT times (Rom 11:5).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
5. Error #7: The kingdom of God/heaven was not set up at the first coming of Christ because of the Jews' rejection of Christ.
A. The kingdom was setup at the first coming of Christ, just as it had been prophesied to be.
i. In the days of the Roman empire (Luk 3:1-3), John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching that the kingdom of heaven (Mat 3:1-2; Mat 4:17) and the kingdom of God (Mar 1:15) were "at hand."
ii. At hand - Within easy reach; near; close by.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
V. The errors of Historical Premillennialism.
1. Error #1: Two bodily resurrections.
A. Historic Premillennialism teaches that the resurrection of the righteous is at the beginning of the millennium and the resurrection of the wicked is at the end of it.
B. The Bible teaches that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust (Act 24:15).
I. God tells us to consider our ways (Hag 1:5).
i. If we do, and then turn from our wickedness, we will be spared death (Eze 18:28).
ii. This is true of a church, as well as individuals (Rev 2:4-5; Rev 3:1-3).
iii. It works with a nation, too (Jer 18:7-8; 2Ch 7:14).
2. We should ask God to try us (Psa 139:23-24; Psa 26:2).
A. Trying is the painful process of separating out sinful things in our lives and disposing of them.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
F. Rev 20:4
i. John saw thrones and saints sitting on them to whom judgment was given.
a. The apostles would be seated on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel when Christ would be seated on the throne of His glory (Mat 19:28).
b. This happened at the resurrection of Christ when he was raised up to sit on David's throne in the heavens (Act 2:30-31; Eph 1:20-22).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
D. Rev 20:2
i. Jesus Christ laid hold on the Devil and bound him for 1000 years.
ii. In that Satan is the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph 2:2), the "prince of this world" (Joh 12:31), and the "god of this world" (2Co 4:4), the only angel that could lay hold on him and bind him would be the Lord Jesus Christ.
iii. As was pointed out before, the book of Revelation is signified (Rev 1:1).
a. Therefore, the 1000 years is not necessarily to be taken literally.
I. The need for self-examination.
1. The thing that distinguishes human beings from all other creatures is our rational mind which is capable of self-reflection.
2. The spirit within man enables him to know himself (1Co 2:11).
A. We can think with ourselves (Act 26:9).
B. We can force ourselves to do something (1Sa 13:12).
C. We can keep ourselves from sinning (2Sa 22:24).
D. We can commune with ourselves (Psa 4:4; Psa 77:6; Ecc 1:16).
E. We can comfort ourselves (Psa 119:52).
F. We can consult with ourselves (Neh 5:7).
G. We can determine with ourselves (2Co 2:1).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
13. The final judgment.
A. After the heavens and the earth have passed away, all nations will be gathered before Jesus Christ at His great white throne to be judged according to their works (Rev 20:11-13).
i. This will be a general judgment of all mankind, both righteous and wicked (Mat 25:31-46).
ii. The final judgment happens at the Second Coming of Christ "when the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with him" (Mat 25:31).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
9. The resurrection.
A. At His Second Coming Jesus will resurrect the dead (1Th 4:16).
i. The resurrection of the dead will be both of the just and unjust (Act 24:15).
ii. There is only one general resurrection: a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
iii. There will only be one resurrection of all that are in the graves (Joh 5:28).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
6. The tribulation.
A. Tribulation n. - 1. A condition of great affliction, oppression, or misery; ‘persecution; distress; vexation; disturbance of life’
B. Christians have been experiencing tribulation since the first coming of Christ.
i. Jesus promised that His disciples would go through tribulation (Joh 16:33).
ii. If they persecuted Jesus, they will persecute His disciples (Joh 15:20).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
B. Jesus Christ began reigning on David's throne when He was resurrected from the dead.
i. It was prophesied in the OT that the Messiah who would proceed from David would assume his throne and reign from it forever (2Sa 7:12-16; 1Ch 17:11-14).
ii. According to this prophecy, the following would happen:
a. The coming King would be a descendant of David (2Sa 7:12).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
vi. The church is the true Israel.
a. The nation of Israel was a chosen people whom God had singled out from all the nations of the earth (Amo 3:1-2; Psa 147:19-20).
b. As long as they were obedient and kept His covenant, they were to him a peculiar people, a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (Exo 19:5-6).
c. Israel was God's church/congregation (Act 7:38 c/w Exo 16:2).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
5. The setting up of the millennial kingdom and the reign of Christ on David's throne.
A. The kingdom of God/heaven was set up by Christ at His first coming.
i. The kingdom of God was prophesied in the book of Daniel to come in the days of the Roman Empire.
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Millennialism
I. The study of end times is referred to as eschatology.
1. Eschatology - The department of theological science concerned with ‘the four last things: death, judgement, heaven, and hell’.
2. This is a much debated topic among professing Christians.
3. Errant views on eschatology are very dangerous since they influence the political policies of our government, both domestic and international.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:57-80 in which he covered the scientific accuracy of circumcision on the eighth day, how God's redemption of His people is an accomplished fact which sinners cannot affect, how Jesus Christ is our horn of salvation who is reigning on David's throne, and how the gospel gives the knowledge of salvation (not gives eternal salvation itself) to God's children.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:36-56 in which he covered how nothing is impossible with God, the possibility of Jesus being conceived in Hebron, election by God from the womb, and how humility comes before honor.
I. This is an exhortation to be zealous for God, His word, His church, His religion, His gospel, His truth, His commandments, His people, and His service; and to provoke you unto love and to good works (Heb 10:24).
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:27-35 in which he covered the Roman Catholic heresy of Mariolatry including how Mary was not a perpetual virgin, the Queen of Heaven, or the Mother of God. He also extensively proved from the scriptures and reason that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in His human nature, not in His divine nature, and therefore is not "eternally begotten", as many creeds state.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:18-26 in which he covered several examples of how faithful children of God sometimes doubt God's word and promises; how God punishes His children for unbelief; how punishment should fit a crime; how parents should teach their children to not bully and reproach their peers and discipline them when they do; and how that the wise men which came to worship Jesus in Matthew 2 did so when He was a young child under two years of age, not a new born baby, and therefore there is no contradiction between Matthew 2 and Luke 2.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:10-17 in which he covered the nature of angels, the method of effective prayer, being great in the sight of the Lord, how a person who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist, how John the Baptist was Elijah, and the importance of fathers turning their hearts to their children and bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:8-9 in which he covered the importance of worshiping God according to the due order given in scripture.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:6-7 in which he covered how sinners are made righteous by Jesus Christ's faith, grace, blood, and knowledge, how the faith and works of God's righteous children show evidence that Jesus made them righteous, how good and bad things happen to both good and bad people, and how God doesn't forsake the barren or the elderly.
Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on Luke 1:1-5 in which he covered the veracity and reliability of the gospel records, the ability to know truth with certainty, and the date of the birth of Jesus Christ (August/September, not December 25th).
XV. Internet addictions
1. Internet use, like many other activities or substances, can be addictive if overused.
A. If you can't stop doing a certain habitual thing (surfing the internet, video gaming, shopping, playing a sport, gambling, etc.) or using a certain substance (alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, pain medication, sleeping medication, etc.) without having withdrawal symptoms, you are addicted to that activity or substance.
8. How to avoid the temptation to view pornography.
A. Keep your thought-life pure.
i. Think on godly things (Phi 4:8).
ii. You are what you think about (Pro 23:7).
iii. Commit your works unto the Lord and your thoughts will be established (Pro 16:3).
a. "Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; by regulating the action, which is under the more direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which is not." (Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People, page 70)
XII. Internet pornography
1. "The greatest threat to the body of Christ, to the church, to families, and to the individual Christian is the pervasive, destructive pornography available through the Internet." (Josh McDowell)
2. Internet pornography is an evil invention of men which people go a whoring after (Psa 106:39).
3. Pornography used to be harder to get.
A. It required going to a store and buying a magazine in person.
B. This was a deterrent to decent people.
C. Then it became available on the internet in the privacy of one's home.
VII. The tendency to say, share, and gossip too much online
1. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter provide an easy avenue to blab things we should not and would not normally have the opportunity to in real life.
A. The definition of twitter is telling.
B. Twitter v. - 1. intr. Of a bird: To utter a succession of light tremulous notes; to chirp continuously with a tremulous effect. b. transf. Of a person: To sing after the above manner; also (esp. of a woman), to talk or chatter rapidly in a small or tremulous voice.
V. The need for human connection.
1. This new digital world with its social networking, emails, and texts boasts itself a utopia for human connection.
A. We can now connect with long-lost relatives, friends, co-workers, and classmates from around the country or world.
B. People now have hundreds of "friends" on Facebook or LinkedIn.
C. But has all this digital connection actually improved our relationships and our fullness as individuals?
2. The scripture emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interaction.
I. The dangers of technology
1. Inventions aren't always a good thing (Ecc 7:29; Psa 106:29,39).
2. "If there is technological advance without social advance, there is, almost automatically, an increase in human misery, in impoverishment." (Michael Harrington, The Other America, 1962)
3. "Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end." (Henry David Thoreau, Walden, "Economy," 1854)
I. The blessing of a pastor
1. A pastor is a gift to the church from Jesus Christ (Eph 4:8,11).
2. As God sets members in the church as it pleases Him (1Co 12:18), so he gives ministers to the church (1Co 3:5).
3. God gives pastors after His own heart to feed His churches with knowledge and understanding (Jer 3:15).
4. God gives the church a pastor for several reasons:
A. For the perfecting of the saints (Eph 4:12).
i. Perfect v. - 1. a. trans. To bring to completion; to complete, finish, consummate; to carry through, accomplish.
Nonintervention Foreign Policy
I. We have discarded and forgotten the biblical position of nonintervention and nonaggression which this nation was founded upon.
1. Proponents of an interventionist and imperialist foreign policy will cite O.T. examples of where God commanded Israel to utterly destroy wicked nations and possess them as justification for their position (Jos 6:17,20-21; 1Sa 15:2-3).
A. They will say that God hasn't changed (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8) and therefore a Christian nation such as the USA still has such a mandate.
B. While God hasn't changed, His law has (Heb 8:13).
This sermon was preached by Pastor Wagner at the Ecclesiastical Law Center Conference in Union City, IN.
Being Called to the Ministry
I. The calling, training, and ordination of a minister.
1. How do you know if you're called to the ministry?
2. The standard answers:
A. I just feel/felt God calling me.
B. God told me.
C. I have always wanted to be a preacher.
D. My mom/dad/grandma told me that they knew from the time I was a boy that I was going to be a preacher.
Trusting In and Fearing Men
I. There is a tendency among people to put too much trust and fear in men.
1. People have a tendency to trust men (governments) to provide for their needs and their safety.
2. People have a tendency to fear wicked men and governments.
3. Sometimes we give wicked men too much credit.
A. We credit them with controlling the markets, elections, world events, and even the weather.
B. Even if we view what they allegedly do with contempt, we still are in effect having confidence in them to control the world.
52. The Apostle (Heb 3:1).
A. Apostle - I. A person sent. 1. a. (As in Gr.) One sent on an errand, a messenger. b. Applied in N. T. to Jesus Christ. 2. spec. (Now with capital initial.) The twelve witnesses whom Jesus Christ sent forth to preach his Gospel to the world; also the subsequently-commissioned Barnabas (Acts xiii. 2, xiv. 14), and Paul, the ‘Apostle of the Gentiles.’
B. As the definition states, Apostle means sent (Mat 10:2,5).
C. Jesus was that messenger of the covenant (Mal 3:1) who was sent by God.
i. Jesus was sent by God (Joh 5:24; Joh 6:29; Joh 8:29; Joh 17:3).
39. The Bread of Heaven (Joh 6:41); Bread of God (Joh 6:33); Bread of Life (Joh 6:35,48); Living Bread (Joh 6:51).
A. Bread n. - 1. (Only in OE.) Bit, piece, morsel (of food). 2. a. A well-known article of food prepared by moistening, kneading, and baking meal or flour, generally with the addition of yeast or leaven. 5. a. Livelihood, means of subsistence.
B. Bread is food (Joh 6:5) and a means of subsistence (Mat 6:11).
C. God gave Israel bread from heaven to sustain them in the wilderness before they entered the promised land (Joh 6:31).
29. Counsellor (Isa 9:6).
A. Counsellor - 1. a. One who counsels or advises; an adviser.
B. Counsel v. - 1. to counsel a person: to give or offer (him) counsel or advice; to advise.
C. Counsellor is a fitting name for Jesus Who is the wisdom of God (1Co 1:24 c/w Pro 8:1) who says "counsel is mine" (Pro 8:14).
D. Jesus gives us counsel (Rev 3:18).
E. He does so by His word (Psa 119:24).
F. There is no counsel against Him (Pro 21:30; Rom 11:34).
G. This name of Jesus shows us that He is our counselor and adviser Who tells us how to live.
30. The Only Wise God (Jud 1:25; 1Ti 1:17).
20. The Mighty God (Isa 9:6).
A. Mighty adj. - 1. Possessing ‘might’ or power; powerful, potent, strong.
B. "The Mighty God" is Jehovah (Jer 32:18; Psa 50:1).
C. Jesus is powerful (1Ti 6:15).
D. Potentate - 1. A person endowed with independent power; a prince, monarch, ruler.
E. This name of Jesus shows that He is the almighty Jehovah God.
21. The Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6).
A. Everlasting adj. - 1. a. Lasting for ever; infinite in future duration; endless; = eternal
B. Father n. - 1. a. One by whom a child is or has been begotten, a male parent, the nearest male ancestor.
9. Messiah (Joh 1:41)
A. Messiah - The Hebrew title (= ‘anointed’) applied in the O.T. prophetic writings to a promised deliverer of the Jewish nation, and hence applied to Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfilment of that promise.
B. Messiah is another name for Christ (Joh 4:25).
C. The Messiah would be a Prince (Dan 9:25).
D. This name of Jesus shows that He is the Lord's anointed Christ, king, and deliverer.
10. Master (Mat 8:19)
To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems
I. The compassion of God
1. Sometimes Christians focus on the judgment and severity of God and forget about His compassion.
2. God is full of compassion (Psa 86:15; Psa 145:8).
I. The importance of the name of God
1. God's name is very important to Him and should be important to us.
A. God raised up Pharaoh so that His name would be declared throughout all the earth (Exo 9:16).
B. The third of the ten commandments is "thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Exo 20:7).
C. God's name is hallowed (Mat 6:9).
D. Hallowed adj.- Sanctified, blessed, consecrated, dedicated.
2. God has many names, but His memorial name is I AM THAT I AM, or I AM for short (Exo 3:14-15).
A. This is His name for ever.
I. Defining the terms.
1. Unbelief n. - Absence or lack of belief; disbelief, incredulity. a. In matters of religion.
2. Belief n. - 1. The mental action, condition, or habit, of trusting to or confiding in a person or thing; trust, dependence, reliance, confidence, faith.
3. Unbeliever n. - One who does not believe; spec. one who does not accept a particular religious belief, an infidel.
4. Believer n. - One who believes. a. One who has faith in the doctrines of religion; esp. a Christian, Christian disciple.
Vanity of Vanities, Saith the Preacher
I. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." (Ecc 1:2)
II. Vanity, vanity.
1. Vanity - 1. a. That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value or profit.
2. Vain adj. - I. 1. Devoid of real value, worth, or significance; idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless; of no effect, force, or power; fruitless, futile, unavailing.
8. Fear of rejection by God - some people fear that God will not accept them because of their past or present sins.
A. It is true that God is holy (1Pe 1:16).
i. God can't even look on iniquity (Hab 1:13).
ii. The foolish can't stand in God's sight and He hates sinners (Psa 5:4-5).
B. God is fearful (Heb 10:31; Heb 12:29) and terrible (Psa 47:2).
i. Terrible - 1. Exciting or fitted to excite terror; such as to inspire great fear or dread; frightful, dreadful.
6. Love of family - some people love their spouse, parents, or children more than God and can't bear the thought of hurting or angering them by submitting to Christ.
A. The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mat 22:36-38).
B. Family must take a backseat to God.
i. Jesus didn't come to bring peace between families, but division (Mat 10:34-36).
ii. Jesus said that he that loves his father or mother, or son or daughter more than Him is not worthy of Him (Mat 10:37).
I. There are many things which keep people from submitting to Christ, such as:
1. Reprobation - some are natural men who have not the ability to understand and believe the gospel and submit to it.
2. Pride - the pride of even God's elect can prevent them from submitting to Christ.
3. Apathy - some people just don't care about truth.
4. Accountability - some people do not want to be held accountable to God's law by a church and pastor.
5. Love of sin and self - some people love themselves and their sin more than God and will not give it up to follow Him.
I'm Converted, Now What?
I. What do I mean by "converted"?
1. Converted - 1. Turned, turned back. 2. That has turned or been brought over to a religious faith or profession, whether from a different religion or from irreligious life.
2. Conversion is turning to God from a previous life of sin and false religion (Act 15:3 c/w Act 15:19).
3. A complete conversion includes being baptized and added to a local church (Act 15:3 c/w Act 14:1, 21-23).
II. So now that I've been baptized and added to a true church, now what?
I. "Remember Lot's Wife." (Luk 17:32) is one of the shortest verses in the Bible.
1. Don't despise small things, though (Zec 4:10).
2. Some important verses in the Bible are very short. Consider the following profound, yet concise verses:
A. "Jesus wept." (Joh 11:35)
B. "Rejoice evermore." (1Th 5:16)
C. "Pray without ceasing." (1Th 5:17)
D. "Quench not the Spirit." (1Th 5:19)
E. "Brethren, pray for us." (1Th 5:25)
3. Wise men let their words be few (Pro 17:27-28).
4. Fools, on the other hand, are known for their much speaking (Ecc 5:3; Ecc 10:14).
VI. God's declared will also includes guidelines that God has given in scripture of how He wants us to live and what He wants us to do.
1. This aspect of God's will can be ascertained by living according to God's laws and studying the scriptures (Rom 12:2).
2. Prove v.- II. To make good, establish. 5. trans. To establish (a thing) as true; to make certain; to demonstrate the truth of by evidence or argument.
3. We should pray for God's will to be done.
A. Jesus was our prime example of this (Mat 26:39,42; Luk 22:42).
B. Jesus taught us to pray for God's will to be done (Mat 6:10).
IV. The permissive will of God.
1. There are some things in our lives that God doesn't decree but permits.
A. Permit v.- I. To allow, suffer, give leave; not to prevent.
B. God may or may not permit our travel to go as we have planned (1Co 16:7).
C. Even the teaching the pastor intends to do is subject to the permissive will of God (Heb 6:1-3).
D. God has allowed His ministers to be put in trust with the gospel (1Th 2:4).
E. This is why we should always preface our plans with, "If the Lord will..." (Jam 4:15; 1Co 4:19).
I. Overview - the different aspects of the will of God.
1. The sovereign will of God.
A. Predestination - God's absolute sovereign will.
B. Predetermination - God's bounded sovereign will.
C. God's sovereign will is both His desire and His accomplishment of that desire.
i. Will - I. 1. a. Desire, wish, longing; liking, inclination, disposition (to do something).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Charismatics
B. All prophets are not God's prophets.
i. There are plenty of false prophets in the world pretending to speak in God's name which He has not sent (Jer 23:21; Jer 27:15; Jer 29:9).
ii. They tell lies that people love to hear and they love them (Jer 5:31; Isa 30:10; 1Ki 22:13).
iii. God will even send lying prophets to people who want to believe a lie (1Ki 22:20-23; 2Th 2:8-12).
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
I. There are different ways one can be in Christ. One can be in Christ:
1. In election
2. Represented in His death
3. In regeneration
4. In the local church
5. Practically
II. In Christ in Election
1. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Charismatics
V. What sign gifts did/do not necessarily prove
1. Sign gifts do not prove:
A. Spirituality (1Co 1:4-7 c/w 1Co 3:1) and (Mat 10:1 c/w Joh 6:70-71).
B. Charity (1Co 13:1).
C. Regeneration (Mat 7:21-23).
2. There are lying signs and wonders that are performed by men by the power of Satan (2Th 2:9; Act 16:16-18; Rev 13:13-14; Rev 16:14).
3. Satan and his ministers can be transformed into ministers of righteousness (2Co 11:13-15).
I. The reality of death.
1. Death is a reality that we must all face (Ecc 8:8).
A. No man has control over the day of his death.
B. There is no getting out of it - "there is no discharge in that war".
2. God alone determines the length of our lives (Job 14:1-5).
A. Our days are determined by God.
B. He has set bounds on them that can't be passed (Job 14:5).
C. The days that we spend here on earth are few and full of trouble (Job 14:1).
3. Our life is short like a vapor (Jam 4:14; Job 7:7; Psa 78:39; Psa 89:47-48; Psa 144:4; Psa 103:15-16).
For a master copy of the outline, click here: Charismatics
I. History of the sign gifts.
1. Throughout history there have been seasons where God enabled men to do signs and wonders. Example: Moses and Elijah.
2. Israel was accustomed to seeing signs from a prophet to know that he was from God (1Co 1:22; Joh 4:48).
3. Moses used miraculous signs to prove that he was from God (Exo 4:1-5).
A. They were only given to him for a 40 year period of time (Act 7:36).
D. There was a global flood approximately 4,400 years ago.
i. The Bible describes the great flood in detail.
a. The earth had become corrupt and full of violence in the years preceding the flood (Gen 6:11).
b. God had had enough and told Noah that he was going to destroy the earth and all flesh with it (Gen 6:12-13).
c. God told Noah to build an ark of gopher wood (Gen 6:14).
1) The dimensions of the ark were (Gen 6:15):
A. Length: 300 cubits (450ft - 550ft)
B. Width: 50 cubits (75ft - 92ft)
C. Height: 30 cubits (45ft - 55ft)
(1 cubit = 18-22 inches, 1.5-1.83 feet)
C. David didn't restrain and discipline his children.
i. David never displeased his son Adonijah at any time (1Ki 1:6).
a. In other words, David never told him "no".
b. Fathers, it is your job to displease your children often.
c. Your job it to first make them holy, and then happy.
d. Foolishness is bound in their hearts and they will naturally make the wrong decision nearly every time if left to themselves (Pro 22:15).
e. You must be like Abraham who commanded his children, not left them do whatever they wanted (Gen 18:19).
IV. The folly of the fairytale of evolution
1. Today the Theory of Evolution is taught as if it were a scientific fact.
2. It is important to distinguish microevolution from macroevolution.
A. Microevolution - Evolutionary change within a species or smaller group of plants or animals, taking a relatively short time
B. Macroevolution - Evolutionary change over a long period, leading to the appearance of new groups of plants or animals
3. Microevolution happens all the time and has been observed and well documented.
6. David's failures.
A. David multiplied wives unto himself.
i. Kings were forbidden to multiply wives unto themselves (Deu 17:17).
ii. Multiply - 1. trans. To cause to become much, many, or more; to make many or manifold; to augment the number, amount, or quantity of.
iii. David had at least 10 wives and 10 concubines.
a. Michal - (1Sa 18:27)
b. Abigail - (1Sa 25:40-42)
c. Ahinoam - (1Sa 27:3)
d. Maacha - (2Sa 3:3)
e. Haggith - (2Sa 3:4)
f. Abital - (2Sa 3:4)
g. Eglah - (2Sa 3:5)
h. Bathsheba - (2Sa 12:24)
i. David then took more concubines and wives (2Sa 5:13).
Creation vs. Evolution
I. Purpose of this study
1. For the last 150 years, there has been a concerted effort to destroy people's believe in God by casting doubt on the belief that the universe and life were created by God.
2. This has been accomplished by developing and promoting the Theory of Evolution which is said to be the process by which species of organisms arise from earlier life forms and undergo change over time through natural selection.
3. The Theory of Evolution requires astronomical amounts of time for this hypothesized process to take place.
5. David experienced great victory early in his life.
A. David had a great victory over Goliath.
i. Before going in to battle, David was offered armour to protect himself, but he rejected it, not having proved it (1Sa 17:38-39).
a. We would do well to follow David's example and "prove all things" (1Th 5:21; Eph 5:10).
b. We should prepare to defend ourselves, but safety is ultimately from the Lord (Pro 21:31).
1) We shouldn't trust in our military for safety, but in God (Psa 20:7; Psa 44:6-7).
III. Training and educating children.
1. The goal of educating children is to bring them to maturity.
A. Maturity - The state or quality of being mature (having the powers of the body and mind fully developed); fullness or perfection of development or growth.
B. Jesus Christ is the standard of maturity (Eph 4:13).
i. Jesus was trained up by his parents who provided Him with a well-rounded and quality education (Luk 2:51-52).
a. He matured:
1) intellectually (in wisdom).
2) physically (in stature).
3) spiritually (in favor with God).
4) socially (in favor with man).
David's Life - A Warning to Christians
I. The importance of this study.
1. David was a man after God's own heart.
A. David was abundantly blessed by God.
B. We can learn from good examples in David's life.
2. But David made some very poor choices and was chastened by God for them.
A. As a result, David experienced a lot of pain and heartache that wouldn't have had to be.
B. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition..." (1Co 10:11).
C. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1Co 10:12).
Child Discipline, Training, and Education
I. The importance of this study.
1. The family is the backbone of society.
2. Your children are the future.
3. You (parents) are responsible for the training and education of your children, whether you do it yourself or you delegate it to others.
4. You have a responsibility to God, your children, and society to discipline your children to ensure they grow up into God-fearing, honest, hard-working, responsible, and mature people.
4. An Israelite could sell his daughter to be a maidservant (Exo 21:7).
A. If she was betrothed to her master and she didn't please him, he could not sell her to someone from another nation, but he had to let her father redeem her (Exo 21:8).
B. If he gave her to his son for a wife, he had to treat her like a daughter (Exo 21:9).
C. If the son took himself another wife, he still had to provide her with food, clothing, and sex and if he failed to then she would go free (Exo 21:10-11).
D. If you don't like these laws which God commanded in the OT, remember Isa 55:8-9 and Rom 3:4.
For a master copy of the outline and the other sermons in the series, click here: Marriage. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 2.
Marriage
I. A wife's (and all Christian women) adorning should not be focused on the outward such as plaiting (braiding) her hair, wearing jewelry, fine clothing, make-up, etc. (1Pe 3:3).
i. Women are supposed to be clothed in modest apparel (1Ti 2:9-10).
III. The definitions of the words shows that there is a clear distinction between slaves and servants.
1. Slave - n. I. 1. a. One who is the property of, and entirely subject to, another person, whether by capture, purchase, or birth; a servant completely divested of freedom and personal rights.
For a master copy of the outline and the other sermons in the series, click here: Marriage. To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: Part 1. To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 3.
Marriage
V. Since God created marriage, He also regulates the relationship within marriage.
1. The role and responsibilities of the wife.
For a master copy of the outline and the other sermons in the series, click here: Marriage. To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2.
Marriage
I. The importance of this study.
1. Marriage is a picture of Christ and His bride the church (Eph 5:22-32).
2. Marriage was God's design for mankind, even before the fall of man (Gen 2:21-25 c/w Mat 19:4-6).
3. Marriage is also the cornerstone of the family and society itself.
Slavery
I. Definitions
1. Slavery - n. 1. Severe toil like that of a slave; heavy labour, hard work, drudgery. 2. Conduct befitting a slave; ignoble, base, or unbecoming behaviour. Obs. rare. 3. The condition of a slave; the fact of being a slave; servitude; bondage.
2. Slave - n. I. 1. a. One who is the property of, and entirely subject to, another person, whether by capture, purchase, or birth; a servant completely divested of freedom and personal rights.
5. Friends pressuring you into sin: sex, drunkenness, drugs, theft, foul language, etc.
A. You will experience peer pressure from your friends to do sinful things such as these.
i. Remember what God says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Exo 23:2).
ii. Remember that following the crowd was what nailed Jesus Christ to the cross (Mat 27:22-23).
B. Your friends might try to pressure you into having sex before you're married.
i. The Bible calls this fornication.
V. Becoming as them that are without law (Gentiles) to them that are without law.
1. Them that are without law are the Gentiles. (Rom 2:12-14)
2. Them that are without also refers to unbelievers who are outside the church. (1Co 5:12-13)
3. Paul became as a Gentile to the Gentiles so that he could identify with them.
A. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. (Rom 11:13)
B. When Paul preached Christ to the Gentiles, he didn't use the same manner as he did with the Jews by going to the law to show that Jesus was Christ, he rather reasoned with them from creation.
There's a War for Your Minds, Kids
I. This sermon is for the kids in the church.
1. There's a war being waged for the control of your minds, kids.
2. There are many fronts on which the assaults are being made including:
A. Teachers discounting God and Creation, and teaching evolution.
B. Friends pressuring you to not believe in God or to believe in a false god.
C. Teachers, society, and the world in general teaching you to go into debt.
D. Teachers teaching that homosexuality is good and normal.
All Things to All Men (1Co 9:19-23)
I. Overview.
1. Being free from all men, but a servant to all.
2. Becoming as a Jew to the Jews.
3. Becoming as a Gentile to the Gentiles.
4. Becoming as weak to the weak.
5. Being all things to all men to save some and be a partaker of the gospel with them.
II. Being free from all men, but a servant to all. (1Co 9:19)
1. Paul begins this chapter by asking the rhetorical question: am I not free? (1Co 9:1)
2. This answer is obviously "yes" as Paul states in verse 19.
3. How was Paul free from all men?
XIII. The Second Coming of Christ
1. This Basic Bible Doctrine series started by covering things that took place before time began and will end by covering things that will take place after time ends.
2. What will the second coming of Christ be like? How will we know when it happens?
A. When Jesus left this earth after His resurrection, angels told the disciples who watched him depart into heaven that he would return in like manner (Act 1:9-11).
XII. Christian Duty
1. So you know and understand who the true God is, what the true word of God is, how to study and understand the Bible, that men by nature are totally depraved and condemned under sin, that Jesus Christ saved His elect eternally by grace alone, that belief and obedience of the gospel saves God's children temporally, and that believers ought to be baptized and added to a true church that worships God in spirit and in truth.
A. At this point, if you understand and believe all of the above, you should be a baptized member of a true New Testament church.
VII. Interchurch communion.
1. Communion is a local church ordinance.
2. The apostle Paul dealt much with the issue of communion with the church at Corinth.
A. The first epistle to the Corinthians was addressed specifically "unto the church of God which is a Corinth" (1Co 1:2).
B. Paul tells them that "ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1Co 12:27).
i. The body and members under consideration is the local church and the members of it (1Co 12:12-26).
XI. True Worship
1. The necessity of worshipping God in truth.
A. God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:24).
i. Truth - I. The quality of being true. 1. a. The character of being, or disposition to be, true to a person, principle, cause, etc.; faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty, constancy, steadfast allegiance.
II. 5. a. Conformity with fact; agreement with reality; accuracy, correctness, verity (of statement or thought).
ii. True worshippers worship God in truth (Joh 4:23).
X. The Local Church
1. A church is a congregation of people (Heb 2:12 c/w Psa 22:22; Act 7:38 c/w Exo 16:2).
2. There is more than one type of church found in the scriptures.
A. In the last section, it was shown that baptism adds a person to the church. In this section, it will be shown which church is under consideration.
B. The Bible speaks of the universal church comprised of all the redeemed from all time as the church (Heb 12:22-23).
i. This is the whole family of God (Eph 3:15).
ii. This church is the bride that Christ died for (Eph 5:25-27).
Why We Are Not Primitive Baptists
I. The reason for this study.
1. Since the Minneapolis Church is an independent and autonomous church and not part of a denomination or an association, it is difficult in a few sentences to explain to someone "what kind of church" we are.
2. For that reason, we sometimes will tell inquirers that compared to modern denominations or associations, we are most similar to Primitive Baptists.
vi. What about "household baptisms" in the Bible?
a. Let's examine each of the five "household baptisms" in the Bible.
b. Cornelius' house (Act 10:47-48).
1) It is true that more than Cornelius was baptized by Peter.
2) Cornelius had invited his kinsmen and near friends to hear Peter (Act 10:24).
3) The members of Cornelius' house were all old enough to fear God, since he feared God with ALL his house, which could not include infants as they are too young to fear God (Act 10:2).
For a master copy of the outline and for more resources on the modern Bible perversions, click here: Bible Versions
See the attached outline for verse comparisons between the King James Version (KJV), the New International Version (NIV), and the New American Standard Bible (NASB) which show that changes in the modern versions affect important Bible doctrine.
IX. Baptism
1. What is baptism?
A. Baptism - 1. The action or ceremony of baptizing; immersion of a person in water, or application of water by pouring or sprinkling, as a religious rite, symbolical of moral or spiritual purification or regeneration, and, as a Christian ordinance, betokening initiation into the Church.
B. Baptize - Etymology - [a. F. baptise-r, -izer (11th c.), ad. L. baptiza-re, ad. Gr. βaπτξειν ‘to immerse, bathe, wash, drench,’ in Christian use appropriated to the religious rite, f. βάπτειν to dip, plunge, bathe.]
For a master copy of the outline and for more resources on the modern Bible perversions, click here: Bible Versions
See the attached outline for verse comparisons between the King James Version (KJV), the New International Version (NIV), and the New American Standard Bible (NASB) which show that changes in the modern versions affect important Bible doctrine.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
VIII. The Purpose of the Gospel
1. A common question which is often asked when someone first hears of the doctrine of sovereign grace is: "If God chose people to save before He even created the world, then what is the point of preaching the gospel?".
For a master copy of the outline and for more resources on the modern Bible perversions, click here: Bible Versions
VII. Some facts about the manuscripts, Vaticanus (B) and Sinaiticus (Aleph).
1. Vaticanus (B)
A. Vaticanus was discovered in the Vatican in 1448.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
VII. Temporal Salvation
1. The Bible makes a distinction between things that are temporal and things that are eternal (2Co 4:18).
A. Temporal - 1. Lasting or existing only for a time; passing, temporary. Now rare or merged in 2.
For a master copy of the outline and for more resources on the modern Bible perversions, click here: Bible Versions
I. “...stand still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God” (1Sa 9:27).
II. Some basic facts about the Bible.
1. The Bible is inspired by God; it is the word of God, not man. (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:21; 2Sa 23:2)
2. The Bible is infallible. (Psa 12:6; Psa 19:7; Pro 30:5)
3. God regards His word above His very name! (Psa 138:2 c/w Eph 1:20-21)
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
VI. Salvation by Grace (Eternal Salvation)
1. Given that men by nature under sin are spiritually dead, unrighteous, and filthy and cannot seek, understand, please, nor believe in God; if man will be reconciled to God and spared eternal punishment, it is God who must save the sinner.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
V. The Wages of Sin is Death
1. As was before proved, men inherited a sinful nature from Adam (Rom 5:12; Eph 2:3).
A. We not only inherited a sinful nature, but we have all sinned ourselves (Rom 5:12; Rom 3:23).
i. Sin is the transgression of the law (1Jo 3:4).
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
iii. They don't seek after God (Rom 3:11).
a. The wicked will not seek after God, nor do they think about God (Psa 10:4).
1) They do not seek God because they do not mind the things of the Spirit, but rather the things of the flesh (Rom 8:5).
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
IV. The Nature of Man (Total Depravity)
1. When Adam and Eve were created by God, they were created very good (Gen 1:27,31).
A. They were created in God's very own image.
B. They were pure and had no concept of evil (Gen 2:25).
C. God made man upright (Ecc 7:29).
3. The rules of Bible interpretation.
A. There are no contradictions in the Bible.
i. When prophets prophesied, they had to do it according to the proportion of faith (Rom 12:6).
a. According adv. - According to. a. In a manner agreeing with, consistent with, or answering to; agreeably to.
b. Proportion - 1. A portion or part in its relation to the whole; a comparative part, a share; sometimes simply, a portion, division, part.
I. Bible Interpretation (hermeneutics)
1. The origin of sound Bible interpretation.
A. Man is supposed to live by every word of God (Mat 4:4).
i. It is by God's word that we get understanding (Psa 119:104).
ii. The Bible is a light and a lamp to show us the way (Psa 119:105; Pro 6:23).
B. Therefore it would make sense that the Bible would tell us how to interpret itself, which it does.
2. Some prerequisites for understanding the Bible.
A. The Bible can be understood; it is not some dark book shrouded in mystery.
When Do We Resist Evil and Defend Ourselves?
I. When should we not resist evil?
1. It is acceptable with God when we suffer for doing well (1Pe 2:20).
2. We are called to suffer for righteousness as Christ did, whose example we are to follow (1Pe 2:21).
3. Jesus did not resist the government when they came to arrest Him (Joh 18:1-9).
A. They came for him with weapons (Joh 18:3).
B. Jesus had easy access to a weapon with which to defend Himself (Luk 22:38; Joh 18:10).
C. Jesus could have destroyed them (Mat 26:53).
5. The means of the preservation of the scriptures.
A. Some say that God only inspired His word in the original autographs.
B. The original autographs no longer exist, therefore either 1) God lied when he said His words would be preserved forever, or 2) He preserved them in copies and/or translations.
C. God is well able to, and has, preserved His scriptures in copies.
i. Moses and the stone tablets.
a. God gave Moses the "original autographs" which He personally wrote (Exo 31:18).
b. Moses destroyed the "original autographs" (Exo 32:19).
II. God's Word
1. Throughout time, God has spoken to men by various and different means (Heb 1:1).
A. Sundry - Having an existence, position, or status apart; separate, distinct.
B. Divers - Different or not alike in character or quality; not of the same kind.
2. God spoke by the prophets in the Old Testament times (Heb 1:1).
A. The law that God gave by the prophets was spoken by means of angels (Heb 2:2).
i. The law of Moses was ordained by angels (Gal 3:19).
Basic Bible Doctrine
I. The Existence and Nature of God
1. The Bible declares that there is only one God (Isa 44:6-8; 1Co 8:6).
2. Even without the revelation of God, man can reason from the creation and know that there is an eternal and omnipotent God who created all things.
A. The visible things that are seen prove the existence of the invisible God who is not seen (Rom 1:20).
B. The heavens declare the glory of God (Psa 19:1).
C. The heavens declare His righteousness (Psa 50:6; Psa 97:6).
D. The creation teaches us that God created it (Job 12:7-10).
The Kingdom of Heaven IS the Kingdom of God
I. By simply comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1Co 2:13), it is irrefutable that the "kingdom of heaven" spoken of in Matthew is synonymous with the "kingdom of God" spoken of in Mark and Luke. (see attached spreadsheet)
II. The kingdom of heaven/God came and was a present reality at the first coming of Christ.
1. Jesus said the kingdom of heaven / kingdom of God was "at hand" (Mat 4:17; Mar 1:14-15).
A. At hand - a. Within easy reach; near; close by. - Oxford English Dictionary
6. The LORD then gives Joshua the prescription for a prosperous and successful journey (Jos 1:8).
A. Joshua was to meditate in the book of the law.
i. Meditate - v. 1. trans. To muse over or reflect upon; to consider, study, ponder.
b. To fix one's attention upon; to observe with interest or intentness.
ii. Muse v. - 1. a. To be absorbed in thought; to meditate continuously in silence; to ponder.
iii. Consider v. - 1. To view or contemplate attentively, to survey, examine, inspect, scrutinize.
VI. Strategy #3: Divide and conquer; using your enemies' weakness against them.
1. Paul was brought before the council and once again tried to reason with them (Act 23:1).
A. He declared to them that he had lived in good conscience all his life.
a. Paul stated this fact more than once in his defense and in his letter to Timothy (Act 24:16; 2Ti 1:3).
b. Paul also impressed upon Timothy, the young preacher whom he had trained and ordained, the importance of maintaining a good conscience (1Ti 1:5,19).
Sorrow
I. Sorrow is painful.
1. Sorrow n.- 1. a. Distress of mind caused by loss, suffering, disappointment, etc.; grief, deep sadness or regret; also, that which causes grief or melancholy; affliction, trouble.
2. Sorrow v.- 1. intr. To feel sorrow or sadness; to regret or grieve; also, to exhibit signs of grief, to mourn.
3. Mourn v. - 1. To feel sorrow, grief, or regret (often with added notion of expressing one's grief); to sorrow, grieve, lament.
II. Sorrow was the result of sin and was multiplied by sin (Gen 3:16-17).
Divide and Conquer (Act 23:6-10)
I. This study should teach us:
1. to be wise unto the way this world works, but not to be of it.
2. how to use strategy when dealing with enemies.
3. how to use our opponents weakness against them.
4. how to use the mechanisms of this world to save us from the wicked intentions of the men of this world.
II. As Christians we should be wise unto that which is good, but simple concerning evil (Rom 16:19).
1. This doesn't mean that we should be ignorant of how the world works and should not use wisdom and strategy to get through this world.
III. The Lord's charge unto Joshua.
1. After the death of Moses, the LORD gave Joshua a charge to lead Israel into the promised land (Jos 1:1-2).
A. We are also heading to the promised land that God has waiting for us (1Pe 1:4; Joh 14:1-3).
B. We are looking for that same city and country that Abraham was (Heb 11:10,16; Heb 13:14).
2. God promised Joshua that he would be with him and not let his enemies stand before him as he did for Moses (Jos 1:5 c/w Deu 7:24).
A. God stands by his ministers in the N.T.
The Beginning of a Journey
I. The story of Joshua leading Israel into the promised land is instructive for us as we begin our journey together.
1. The things that are recorded in the Old Testament were written for our learning and admonition.
A. They were written for our learning and comfort (Strengthening; encouragement, incitement; aid, succour, support, countenance.), and to give us hope (Rom 15:4).
B. They were also written as examples to us for our admonition (The action of admonishing; authoritative counsel; warning, implied reproof.) (1Co 10:11).
Thoughts on Ordination
I. How do you know you're called to the ministry?
1. The standard answers:
A. I just feel God calling me.
B. God told me.
C. I have always wanted to be a preacher.
D. My mom/dad/grandma told me that they knew from the time I was a boy that I was going to be a preacher.
2. A desire to be a pastor is a good thing (1Ti 3:1), but the desire alone is not sufficient to make a man called of God.
A. There are many who desire to be teachers of the law who know not what they are talking about (1Ti 1:7).
Finding Contentment Being Single
I. Marriage: God's design for most people.
1. When God created Adam, God Himself said that it was not good that man should be alone and he made him a companion (Gen 2:18).
A. From the beginning of time, it was God's design that men and women would marry and be fruitful and multiply (Gen 2:24 c/w Gen 1:28).
B. Jesus affirmed this principle (Mar 10:6-8).
C. The institution of marriage was a picture of the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph 5:31-32).
D. Marriage, along with everything else God made in the creation, was a very good thing (Gen 1:31).
To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems
VII. The Biblical way to deal with an offence which is private in nature between two brethren and which is not an excludable offence is to follow Jesus' instruction in Mat 18:15-17. This could also apply to a church member who was offended by the pastor.
To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems
Dealing With Problems in the Church
I. Problems will come.
1. Offences will come, but don't be the person by whom they come (Mat 18:7).
2. Heresies must come to manifest they who are approved (1Co 11:19).
3. Pastors will offend church members (Jam 3:1-2).
4. Trouble is common to all men (Job 14:1).
5. It is a given that problems will come, but what is important is how we deal with them.
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
4. Those whom God chose before the foundation of the world were chosen in Christ (Eph 1:4) and were given to Christ to give eternal life to (Joh 6:37-39; Joh 10:27-29; Joh 17:2).
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
Sovereign Grace
Sovereign - n. 1. One who has supremacy or rank above, or authority over, others; a superior; a ruler, governor, lord, or master (of persons, etc.). Freq. applied to the Deity in relation to created things.
Happiness - The quality or condition of being happy.
Happy - adj. Having a feeling of great pleasure or content of mind, arising from satisfaction with one's circumstances or condition; also in weakened sense: Glad, pleased.
Joy - 1. a. A vivid emotion of pleasure arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction; the feeling or state of being highly pleased or delighted; exultation of spirit; gladness, delight.
I. Happiness is a good thing and as Christians it is something we ought to experience.
Adultery and Church Membership
I. The covenant of marriage.
1. Marriage is a covenant (Mal 2:14).
2. Covenant - 1. A mutual agreement between two or more persons to do or refrain from doing certain acts; a compact, contract, bargain; sometimes, the undertaking, pledge, or promise of one of the parties.
3. The covenant of marriage is different from any other covenant that men can establish.
a. It is life-long (Rom 7:2).
b. It is made between husband and wife, but it is enforced by God and His law (Rom 7:2; Mat 19:4-6).
c. The husband and wife become "one flesh" (Mar 10:8).
VI. "Sin...slew me" and "I died" -- What was this death?
1. Sin had been laying dormant in Paul, deceiving him (Rom 7:11).
A. Deceive - v. 1. trans. To ensnare; to take unawares by craft or guile; to overcome, overreach, or get the better of by trickery; to beguile or betray into mischief or sin; to mislead.
B. Sin had deceived Paul by making him think he was alive and righteous.
C. Like the people of Laish who dwelt carelessly, quiet and secure, because there was no magistrate in the land to put them to shame (Jdg 18:7): so it was with Paul.
Alive Without the Law (Rom 7:9)
I. The purpose of this study is to provide a proper Biblical understanding of Rom 7:7-13 and to answer the following questions:
1. Was Paul referring to being spiritually alive (in possession of eternal life) when he said that he was "alive without the law once"?
2. Was Paul referring to living in sinless innocence prior to the law coming to him when he wrote "without the law sin was dead"?
3. Did Paul die spiritually when the commandment came and sin revived and slew him?
4. If not, then what kind of death was he referring to?
"The Husband of One Wife" (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6)
I. One of the qualifications a man must meet to be ordained and hold the office of a pastor/bishop/elder/overseer is that he must be "the husband of one wife" (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6).
A. Does this mean that a pastor must be married?
B. Does this mean that a pastor cannot be a widower?
C. Does this mean that a pastor who is a widower cannot remarry?
D. Does this mean that a pastor cannot be divorced?
E. Does this mean that a pastor that is divorced cannot remarry?
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
I. Questions.
1. Have you ever doubted the claims or existence of God or Jesus Christ?
2. Have you ever been in a trial or affliction and began to question your faith - things you once knew to be true?
3. Have you ever wondered if great men of faith have ever had the same struggles with doubt or unbelief as you?
4. Have you ever thought it would be nice to have God do a miraculous sign to prove His existence or His truth?
5. Have you ever wished that you could have been among Jesus' disciples when He walked the earth and personally met Him?
Partaking of the Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:1-11)
I. This study should accomplish the following:
1. Learn how to know Jesus more intimately.
2. Learn what it means to partake of the divine nature and how to do it.
3. Learn how to gain the assurance of eternal life.
II. The importance of the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.
1. Grace and peace are multiplied unto us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2Pe 1:2).
A. Knowing God brings us peace (Job 22:21).
B. The knowledge of God comes through diligently studying the word of God (Pro 2:1-6).
For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse.
Chad preaches an extemporaneous sermon on the twofold nature of justification: 1) how Jesus Christ justified His people in the sense of making them righteous by His knowledge, faith, blood, and grace, and 2) how believers are justified in the sense of being accounted righteous by their faith.
Flattering Titles
“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22) For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” (Job 32:21-22)
I. The reason for this study.
1. Flattery is condemned in the scripture (Pro 26:28; Pro 29:5)
2. It is clear from Job 32:21-22 that it is wrong to give someone a flattering title.
3. Some have concluded from this that it is wrong to call a pastor "Pastor So-and-so" because to do so would be to give him a flattering title.
Offending the Little Ones (Mat 18:1-14)
I. This study should be both convicting and edifying. The following should be accomplished:
1. Understand what is meant by “offending” and “despising” little children.
2. Learn how to not offend and despise little children.
3. Learn how Mat 18:8-9 fits with the rest of Mat 18:1-14.
II. The reason for Jesus’ discourse.
1. The disciples asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mat 18:1).
A. They had been reasoning among themselves about who should be the greatest (Luk 9:46).
This sermon was preached by Pastor Wagner in the Cincinnati Church in 2008 five years before he was ordained.
The outline is attached at the bottom of the page.
Christians and Muslims do NOT Worship the Same God
“Well, first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace.” –President George W. Bush, 2007
This sermon was preached by Pastor Wagner in the Cincinnati Church in 2008 five years before he was ordained.
The outline is attached at the bottom of the page.
Effective Evangelism
I. The mandate to evangelize.
1. Because of the lack of understanding of the “great commission”, and poor doctrine, many Christians carry an unnecessary burden that requires them to witness to every person they meet in order to give them a chance at eternal life.
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Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on preparing for the coming economic collapse. 
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Contentment and Thankfulness
I. My recent trip to the Philippines made me aware of the importance of the Christian attitude of contentment and thankfulness.
1. I saw:
A. Extreme poverty.
B. People living in shacks and shanties.
C. People living in 90+ degree heat with high humidity without air conditioning.
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Pastor Wagner preached an extemporaneous sermon on the The Rich Young Ruler in the Cavite Church in the Philippines. This sermon answers the question, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mar 10:17).
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VII. It is indicative of a lack of spirituality or godliness if a Christian is poor because of laziness, wastefulness, foolishness, or imprudence.
1. If you are lazy, you will likely be poor (Pro 6:9-11; Pro 10:4; Pro 13:4; Pro 19:15; Pro 20:4; Pro 20:13; Pro 21:25; Pro 23:21).
