Possible Sermons for November 2, 2008

On November 2nd I am supposed to preach Homecoming at my home church – Gapway Baptist Church. I have been working on what I could possibly do for a sermon for a while but have too many ideas to choose from. I am therefore writing a bit of my ideas on here and will hopefully get some responses. I’m not going to write the entire sermons here but give the general points for each sermon.

I’ve been thinking over the past month or more about what I could possibly preach on and have been praying continuously for God to show me what he’d have me to say. At times I’ve pretty much been preaching to myself and I myself have been impacted by some of this material. Yes, I know I’m weird.

My base audience will be 100-150 people who most likely go to a small country church at least most of the time. Though these people go to church often I think I need to present a more evangelistic message to the people especially with it being homecomingl.

Sermon 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14 – Alive in Christ

I’d present this sermon by first reading the entire text and then presenting each point by means of explaining each person.

The first person is that of the dead (in Christ). I’d explain this type of person and how many believe themselves to be alive though are not. Being religious as opposed to truly following Christ will be presented.

The second person is that of the believer/person who prophesies. How the person acts in accordance with God’s will shall be presented as well as a comparison to the first person.

The third is that of God. As the passage ends with a reminder of God’s promise to the Israelites, I will end with reminding the congregation of what God promised to us through Jesus Christ. A presentation of the basic gospel message will then be presented.

Sermon 2: Luke 2:41-52 – Knowing Christ without knowing Christ.

Most of the text will be read so that they will understand the background text but I will talk in detail more about verses 49 and after. I’m extremely iffy on whether or not to do this one though there is some parts of it I like.

Verses 49-50 state, “”Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.”

I still need to do background material to make certain I am correct in stating this but it seems as if Mary and Joseph did not realize who Jesus was despite his virgin birth. They did not know their own child was the Son of God!

If the earthly parents of Jesus did not realize who he was then shouldn’t that mean we ourselves should examine whether or not we really know him? The “topic” of the sermon will base on that question. I have yet to come up with concrete points to the sermon.

Sermon 3: Isaiah 42:5-8 – God Is

The first point deals with Isaiah 42:5 which states, “This is what God the LORD says— he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it.”

This point mainly deals with how amazing God is (possibly quote some stuff from Isaiah 40) and gradually have that be told to be the reason we serve him for transition into the next point.

Verses 6-7 will read for the second point which states, “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”

Here I’d talk about how we are to go out and be a light unto the world, proclaiming the name of Christ with service and love.

The last point will be Isaiah 42:8 which states, “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.”

With this passage I’d speak more on the holiness of God as opposed to the awesomeness of God as previously. God is to be set apart in our lives as no other is set apart. As he has no equal, he should have no equal in our lives.

The Lord is Great, should be proclaimed, and deserves our full attention.

Sermon 4: Isaiah 65 – God’s Urging, Judgment, and Blessing

Here are three verses which seem to show the three points I’d like to make with these sermon. I’d use the entire chapter.

Point1 / Verse 1: I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’

God seeks us.

Point2 / Verse 12: I will destine you [who forsake the Lord] for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.

Those who do not answer displease God.

Point3 / Verse 14a: My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts,

God will bless those who serve and follow after him.