Imitate What Is Good

 

Christians are encouraged throughout the New Testament to follow what is good and shun the evil.  In the short epistle of III John, we are given examples of both the good and the evil.

Body:

I.   Imitate the Good – Gaius   (III John Verse 11)

·   John begins the letter by praying that Gaius would be in good physical health as his spiritual health prospered.  (III John Verse 2)  Our spiritual well-being needs to be at least as good as our material well-being.

o   Losing one’s soul  (Mark 8:36-37)

o   Parable of rich fool  (Luke 12:16-21)

o   Wealth can destroy a person.  (I Timothy 6:9-10)  But if one has the right attitude toward money, they can do much good with their wealth.

·   Gene Taylor notes, “How different the world would be if this prayer of John were realized in all people.”

o   Many wealthy would become poor.

o   Many poor would become wealthy.

o   Many in good health would become sick.

o   Many sick would get better.

o   What about us?  In what category would we best fit?  (Hebrews 5:13-14, I Corinthians 11:30)

·   Gaius possessed many qualities worthy of imitating.

o   He didn’t follow the false teaching of his time, but followed the truth.  (III John Verse 3)  (John 17:17, Psalm 119:160)

o   He also practiced the truth.  (III John Verse 4)  (Psalm 86:11)  Note that II John Verses 1-2 are also equivalent to walking in the light.  (I John 1:7)

o   This was manifested in his life; he was concerned about others.  (III John Verses 5-6) (Romans 12:13)  He supported preaching of the truth.  (III John Verses 7-8)

 II.   Shun the Evil – Diotrephes

·   Diotrephes loved to have the preeminence and wanted to be at the head.  He thought his opinion was always the best.  Christians are not to think too highly of themselves.  (Romans 12:3)  Christians should have the attitude of Christ.  (Philippians 2:1-4)

·   He placed himself above an apostle and thought he had more authority.  (I Thessalonians 4:8)

·   He spoke malicious words against John.  (Ephesians 5:3-4)

·   He would not help or show concern for others.  John said that he would be punished.

Conclusion:

Which of these two men are you most like?  Your answer will determine the destiny of your soul.

 Bobby Stafford      

December 1, 2013

Download This Sermon Outline

Back to Sermon Outlines 2013

Sermons and Outlines on Christian Living Sermons and Outlines on Faith

Categorized Library of Sermon Outlines

Home

Our Eyes Are On You

 

Have you ever found yourself in what looked like a hopeless situation? Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, knew what it meant to face overwhelming odds. His choice, and God’s response, teaches us several lessons about what to do in difficult circumstances. Text: II Chronicles 20:1-30 Body: I. The Need for Preparation (Verses 1-4) · Moabites and Ammonites [descendants of Lot] and also Meunites [from Mt. Seir] came in great multitudes to battle Judah. · The King was alarmed. His last experience on the battlefield was a narrow escape from death. So he set his face to seek the Lord. (II Chronicles 17:3-4) · Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast. This would help draw them closer to God. This was an expression of humility and total dependence upon God. (Ezra 8:21-23) (Matthew 6:16-18)   II. The Need for Prayer (Verses 5-12) · Jehoshaphat addressed Jehovah as being over all nations. Other people believed in localized deities but the God of Israel was over the whole world. (Daniel 4:17) King David prayed similarly in I Chronicles 29:11-12. · He acknowledged God’s victories in the past over Israel’s enemies. (Psalm 44:1-8) · God had not allowed Israel to invade Ammon or Moab. (Deuteronomy 2) · “Set their eyes on God” (Psalm 123:1-2)   III. The Need to Listen (Verses13-17) · All of Judah waited quietly for an answer. · God spoke to them through Jahaziel and told them what they needed to do in the battle. [This is good advice for us as well.] 1. Do not be afraid or dismayed; fear will not change your circumstances nor help conquer your enemy. (Isaiah 41:10,13) (Luke 12:4-7) 2. Remember the battle isn’t yours. David and Goliath are an example of this. (I Samuel 17:46-47) 3. Stand firm and hold your position. (Ephesians 6:10-11,13)   IV. The Need to Trust (Verses 18-30) · Israel fell down and worshiped God. (Nehemiah 8:6) · Their trust in Jehovah was essential to victory. (Isaiah 7:9) “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” · They must have trusted in God because the singers went first! (Verse 21) · Note their faith still had to act for God to bless them. It was an active and obedient trust. (Hebrews 11:6) · The result was that the kingdom was at rest. Conclusion: As did Jehoshaphat, we need to set our eyes on God; seek Him with all our heart; and trust Him with absolute confidence. (Romans 8:37) “__in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”   Bobby Stafford    December 1, 2013

Download This Sermon Outline   Back to Sermon Outlines 2013   Sermons and Outlines on Christian Living Sermons and Outlines on Faith   Categorized Library of Sermon Outlines   Home

Prove All Things

 

I Thessalonians 5:21 proclaims, “Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good.” It’s imperative that we are able to show to others in God’s Word what we believe and why. Some people ignorantly claim that you can prove anything by the Bible. Such is not true. Certainly there are people who have perverted and abased God’s Word and handled it deceitfully throughout the years. (II Corinthians 4:2) But there are things which can be proven by the Bible. This particular list was composed by Brother David Pharr. Body: 1. I can prove by the Bible that Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9); but there is not a man on earth that can prove the doctrine of faith only. (James 2:24) 2. I can prove by the Bible that grace will pardon the faithful (Titus 3:7); but no one can prove that grace makes sin without repentance acceptable, that grace makes all worship as acceptable as true worship, or that grace makes all marriages acceptable. (Romans 6:1-2,12,15-16) 3. I can prove by the Bible that Christ gave us one church of which He is the head (Matthew 16:18); but there is not a man on earth that can prove Jesus built any denomination. (Ephesians 5:23) 4. I can prove by the Bible that sins are washed away by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 1:7); but no one can prove sins are removed before one is baptized. (Acts 22:16, I Peter 3:21) 5. I can prove by the Bible that baptism is a burial (immersion); but there is not a man on earth that can prove sprinkling or pouring is acceptable to God. (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3-4) 6. I can prove by the Bible that a person who is faithful until death will receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10); but no man can prove that a Christian can’t fall and be lost. (Luke 8:13, II Peter 2:20-21) 7. I can prove by the Bible that Jesus is coming again (Acts 1:9); but there is not a man on earth that can prove He will set up a throne in Jerusalem and reign on earth for a thousand years. (II Thessalonians 1:7-8, I Thessalonians 4:16-17)  Conclusion: Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good. Trust God’s promise that if you are faithful until death, you will be given a crown of life.  Bobby Stafford December 15, 2013   Download This Sermon Outline

Back to Sermon Outlines 2013

Sermons and Outlines on Christian Living

Categorized Library of Sermon Outlines

Home