Extra Sermon Outlines A BIBLE READING PUBLICATION
Extra SERMON OUTLINES Using Discovery with Your Congregation SU s Discovery Bible reading guide follows a carefully prepared reading schedule that will take people in your congregation through representative portions of every Bible book in five years, reading 10-20 verses per day. That means that if your congregation uses Discovery over any five year period, they ll cover the entire Bible in depth. Of course, using Discovery for a five year cycle has distinct advantages for your congregation, but the reading schedule (and sermon outlines) are set up so that both congregations and individual readers can start (or stop) at any time and use it at any and all times of the year. Readings always take note of major days on the Christian calendar such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Studies have shown that reading and studying the Bible in a community setting such as a church or small group greatly aids and motivates people in establishing a pattern of reading and living by God s Word. The Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines which follow are part of an integrated package which also includes the Discovery daily readings and commentary and the weekend Discovery Extra group discussion questions. This package offers a church-wide program in which your people can read the same Bible passages, discuss and share about them in small groups and hear sermons based on these passages, too. It s a great way to get your entire church engaged together and growing in God s Word.
Extra SERMON OUTLINES Using the Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines The Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines are just that outlines. They give you a basic structure on which to build your sermon. They re developed from carefully chosen passages taken from the prior week s readings in Discovery. The outlines are intentionally brief. Why? Because the most important component is what you add, that is, your own insights, stories and applications. That s what will make your sermon come alive for your people. Each of The Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines uses the following structure: Title: The sermon title is meant to indicate the theme of the outline and grab your people s attention, too. Of course, you should feel free to establish your own title if you wish. Text: This is a passage or passages from the prior weeks reading in Discovery chosen as the basis for the sermon. This is a statement for you, the pastor. It summarizes the main idea on which the outline is built. This is a brief set of key points you can use to create your sermon. Again, the most important part of the outline is what you will add. Feel free to customize the outlines by cutting and pasting them into your sermon document. You can do this by using the text tool in Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is a statement intended for your congregation. It attempts to summarize a key application point in a memorable way.
Extra SERMON OUTLINE #1 Torn in Two Text: Matthew 27:11 26 Pilate had to choose his loyalties and he choose to protect himself over standing for justice. a. Jesus was arrested by the religious officials. b. The Jewish religious officials turned Jesus over to the Roman government for execution. 2. Jesus is accused before Pilate. a. When asked directly, Jesus affirmed that he is the king of the Jews. b. Jesus did not seek to justify or answer the accusations brought against him. 3. Pilate seeks an out. a. It was custom for the governor to release a prisoner at Passover. b. Pilate offers the people Jesus release because he knows that Jesus was handed over because of the jealousy of the religious leaders (18). c. The people are swayed by the same pressure to ask for Barabbas release (20). 4. Crucify him. a. The people called out for Jesus crucifixion b. Though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent (19, 23), he was persuaded to give in. c. Pilate said he accepted no responsibility but handed Jesus over to death (24). d. The people said that they accepted the responsibility for Jesus blood to be upon them and their children. a. Are we persuaded to make the decisions that others want us to make though a violation of conscience? b. Jesus spoke of a peace he came to destroy. Consider the keeping of peace here and the realities behind it. Jesus stood for truth. It led to his death. Apostles, prophets and martyrs through the ages have followed. Every believer is called to a willingness to stand in truth regardless of cost to self.
Extra Sermon Outline #2 Text: Matthew 28:1 20 He Is Risen! Jesus rose just as he said he would! a. Jesus had subjected himself to the worst torture and death and was laid in the tomb. b. On the third day, two of the women who followed Jesus came to the tomb. 2. Supernatural declaration. a. The stone could not keep Jesus in any more than death could hold him. b. Nature came apart in the form of an earthquake. c. An angel, whose appearance was like lightening and whose clothes were white as snow, removed the stone. 3. The angel s message. a. No need for fear because Jesus has done just as he said. b. Jesus is not in the place of death, but is alive. c. Coming to understand this truth, go tell others. 4. Explaining away truth. a. The leaders who rejected Christ fabricated something to disprove what they had already decided they would not choose (12-13). b. The soldiers willingly went along as it served their purpose (12). 5. Jesus directions to us. a. Make disciples-with those who would deny self, take up their own cross and follow. b. Baptize and teach to obey: the declaration of baptism is to be lived out in a life of obedience. c. Jesus has promised he is with us always. Every human must decide what they will do with the story of Jesus. Let us go and tell the world.
Extra Sermon Outline #3 Conflicting Pictures Text: Numbers 13:1 3,17 33 The focus determined everything else. a. When Moses led the people out of Egypt and slavery, God had promised to give them a new land. b. They had seen God s miraculous deliverance in Egypt and supernatural provision as they traveled through the desert. 2. Explore the land. a. When the people reached the land God had promised, God told Moses to send a leader from each tribe to scout the land (1-3). b. Moses told them to investigate the condition of the land (18-20). 3. As promised. a. They discovered that the land was all God had promised that it was. 4. The issue of focus. a. Beyond looking at what God promised and what they were told to scout out, the focus of most of the men was on the obstacles (28-29). b. Caleb did not have his eyes on the obstacles, but believed they could fulfill what God had called them to. c. The other leaders focused on the difficulties they would face rather than the fulfillment of the promises. a. God has called us to bring the reality of his kingdom into this world. To do so, we will face opposition internally (self and sin) and externally (the world and the devil). Where is our focus? Is it on the obstacles or our faithful God? b. Are you willing to stand alone? Caleb had the right perspective because he did not evaluate by anything less than God s promises and power to fulfill those promises.
Extra Sermon Outline #4 A God of His Word Text: Jeremiah 33:1 26 God is always true to his Word and we should act accordingly. a. Jeremiah had been calling the people to repentance but they continued in disobedience toward God. b. The time had come for judgment and God told Jeremiah that Babylon was going to invade. 2. Called to hope. a. Jeremiah was still imprisoned and destruction was coming on the city, but God was calling Jeremiah to see beyond the physical realities before him. b. God told Jeremiah that if he called on the Lord, he would respond and show Jeremiah things that he could not know in the natural. 3. Promise. a. God spoke to Jeremiah about the physical restoration that was to come to the city. b. God gave promises about the Messiah who was to come, the righteous Branch of the line of David. 4. The foundation of our assurance. a. God had made promises to David, to his priests the Levites, and to the people of Israel. b. Based on God s own faithfulness and his covenant, he assured Jeremiah that his promises would come to pass. c. As sure as God s faithfulness to bring the sun in the morning and the moon at night, God would be faithful to bring about the restoration of the nation. a. Though the world around us reveals the consequence of humankind s choice against God, do we live as though God is good and true to his promises? b. In tangible action, are we investing in what will last? Though the city was about to be besieged, God promised hope and restoration. God s Word is our foundation and faith in that Word is to characterize our life and guide our actions.
Extra Sermon Outline #5 My Will Be Done Text: Jeremiah 41:16 42:22 God is looking for those who follow him not just in words, but in truth. a. The governor whom the king of Babylon had appointed was executed by Ishmael, a fellow Israelite. b. Johanan was now leading those who escaped from Ishmael. 2. Words easily spoken. a. The people asked Jeremiah to speak to the Lord for them (2-3). b. Jeremiah told the people he would be faithful to relay whatever the Lord said (4). c. The people committed to obey whether they found God s direction appealing or unappealing (6). 3. The true test of the words spoken. a. Jeremiah came back with the word that God gave. He said to stay in Babylon. b. The people were determined to go to Egypt. c. Jeremiah warned them that the same judgment they saw in Jerusalem due to disobedience, they would see if they disobeyed and went to Egypt. 4. Fatal mistake. a. Jeremiah called it a fatal mistake to ask the Lord for direction and then disregard that direction. b. The people were ready to hear what they wanted and only what they wanted. a. Do we take to heart the difficult things of God s Word? The call to faithful witness even when slandered or rejected? Giving up worldly pursuits? Be separate from the world? b. Are we willing to obey even when it is distasteful to us? God s way does not always make sense, but we need to determine that we will follow where he leads and, in faith, obey.
Extra Sermon Outline #6 Text: Matthew 13:10 23 Preparing the Soil Jesus reveals the secrets of his Kingdom through parables and those who have ears that are ready to hear and a heart ready to respond will understand. a. Large crowds gathered to hear Jesus speak; so many that he got into a boat while the people listened from shore. b. Jesus spoke to the people in a parable about a farmer scattering seed (3-9). 2. The secrets of the Kingdom. a. The disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables (10). b. Jesus said that the secrets of God s kingdom were hidden within them (11). c. Only those who have a heart willing to receive the truth will truly hear (15-16). 3. Parable explained. a. Jesus speaks of various heart conditions of those who hear his Word. b. Those with who do not understand will not bear fruit (19). Jesus said that callous hearts will not understand (15). c. The Word will not bear fruit in those who do not stand in the midst of trouble or persecution (21) nor in those who allow the worries or riches of the world to crowd out the Word (22). 4. Good soil. a. In each scenario, the seed is the same. Nevertheless, the seed will only produce fruit in a heart that is the good soil Jesus speaks of. b. The yield Jesus promises in such a life is a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown (23). This is a radical promise. a. What is the condition of our hearts? Consider Jesus explanation of the rocks and the weeds and in what way these things need to be removed from our lives. b. Do we believe that our faithfulness will produce the kind of abundant harvest Jesus promises? The seed, which is the Word of God, has the principle of life within itself. The Word will produce life, yet it will only bring forth fruit in a heart that is ready to receive the truth and obey.
Extra Sermon Outline #7 Text: Matthew 14:22 36 He Who Hesitates Jesus walked in the miraculous and overcame the laws of nature, but he did so out of spending time in quiet intimacy with his Father. a. The disciples had just seen Jesus feed the five thousand. b. After sending the crowds away, Jesus sent the disciples ahead in a boat. 2. The mountainside. a. Jesus went by himself to spend time with his father. b. Jesus prayed far into the evening. 3. On the lake. a. Jesus walked out to the disciples on the water. b. The disciples were afraid, but Jesus identified himself. 4. Peter s initiative. a. Peter asked the Lord to give the command, and he would come to him on the water. b. Though Peter took a step of faith, he wavered. c. Peter called out to Jesus and he rescued him. a. Let us follow Jesus example of pulling away and spending extended time with the Father. Do not believe you are too busy; Jesus was accomplishing the most important task in the world and knew this was the first priority. b. Do we think it is better to stay safe and not fail, or risk as Peter did, even if we stumble in our attempt to move in faith? Peter steps out in faith and though he stumbled, God s power held him up.
Extra Sermon Outline #8 Not What You d Expect Text: Matthew 16:21 28 God s way is not man s way. We need to count the cost and be willing to follow where Jesus leads. a. The religious leaders have been asking Jesus to prove himself through signs and wonders. b. Peter has just confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 2. Set toward Jerusalem. a. The Scripture says that from this time on, Jesus began to prepare his disciples for what was coming (21). b. Jesus told them that he was to be tortured and killed by the religious leaders. 3. You will not suffer! a. Peter took Jesus aside to rebuke him. b. Peter forbade Jesus from regarding taking the road toward suffering. 4. The perspective of God versus human perspective. a. Jesus tells Peter he is a road block in his way. b. Peter was not thinking of eternal things. a. Do we position ourselves as Jesus did, setting ourselves toward obedience regardless of the cost? Or do we position ourselves as Peter, seeking to avoid suffering? b. Jesus calls us to count the cost of being his follower. Have you counted the cost? Jesus calls Peter to look with God s perspective and consider his life in light of eternal things.
Extra Sermon Outline #9 The Curse of Unforgiveness Text: Matthew 18:21 35 Jesus said that we will receive forgiveness as we forgive. a. Jesus had just finished speaking about how to restore a brother who had sinned. 2. How much forgiveness? a. Peter asked Jesus how often we should be willing to forgive. b. Jesus gave an answer that implied without limit. 3. The parable of the forgiving king. a. A man owed the king what amounted to millions of dollars. b. The king demanded repayment. c. The man begged for time to repay, but the king forgave the whole debt. 4. Receiving forgiveness but unwilling to give it. a. The forgiven man met up with someone who owed him a few dollars. b. This man asked for the same consideration but there was real possibility he could repay. c. The first man became indignant and had him fully punished. d. The king demanded that the first man pay what he owe. a. The first man had been forgiven his financial obligations, but what he still owed was the willingness to forgive as he himself had been forgiven (32-33). b. Do we truly see our sin against God versus others sins against us as a comparison of millions compared to just a few dollars? We are called to love because God first loved us. The parable makes it clear that forgiveness is our obligation in light of what we have been forgiven.
Extra Sermon Outline #10 You Fool! Text: Proverbs 11:1 31 Integrity being who you present yourself to be is a safe guard in life. a. The proverbs are words of wisdom written by King Solomon. b. The wisdom of the proverbs brings life. 2. Duplicity destroys. a. In contrast to being guided by integrity, one who move with duplicity brings destruction on himself (3). b. This person also destroys others, though a righteous person escapes it (9). 3. The power of words. a. One s character is revealed by their use of words (12). b. A fool uses words to harm; the wise refrains from this. 4. A trustworthy person. a. Do not trust one who does not keep a confidence (13). b. The one who is trustworthy will keep it safe. a. How much do you value integrity? Can your family and friends count on your words? Do you others in whom you can trust? b. Are you mindful of the power of your words? Do you speak carelessly or can you be trusted? Our words have tremendous power to bring life or to bring death. Let us use them wisely.
Extra Sermon Outline #11 Be Overwhelmed Text: 1 Timothy 1:12 20 Paul knew that his only hope was in Jesus and in the Cross, and he gloried in it. a. Paul had been a persecutor of the church, who had Christians put to death. b. Jesus had come to him and called him, and Paul is now giving his life as a leader of the church. 2. Paul knew who he was. a. Paul thought of himself as one appointed and commissioned by God (12). b. Paul did not forget where God had saved him from (13). 3. Demonstration of God s love. a. Paul saw himself as a great example of the truth of Jesus saving love (15-16). b. God s mercy was cause for great glory to be given to God through Paul. 4. Encouraging his disciple. a. After remembering his own past and Jesus saving grace, he call Timothy to remember the words God had spoken over Timothy s life. b. Paul reminded Timothy to fight the good fight and not be as those who allowed their faith to become shipwrecked. a. Do we reflect on our story and all that God has done in our lives? Do we talk to others about it for God s glory? b. Do you have those that you are encouraging to grow in faith as Paul did for Timothy? Do you have someone like Paul who encourages you? Remember all God has done in your life and keep fighting the good fight of faith so that your faith may grow and others may grow in God.
Extra Sermon Outline #12 Keep Fit Text: 1 Timothy 4:6 16 Paul calls Timothy to keep fit in his faith even as a trainer would encourage an athlete. a. Paul had just been giving instruction on avoiding certain teaching which focused on external restrictions (1-3). 2. True godliness. a. In contrast to following myths and rituals, Paul calls Timothy to a God centered life (7). b. Our hope is in God who saves those who believe (9-10). 3. Training. a. Our pure hope does not lead to a lax existence, but discipline (8). b. Paul calls Timothy to devote himself to the practices that will keep him and his hearers secure in the truth. 4. Faithful to the call. a. Paul reminds Timothy of the call and commission he was given (14). b. In diligence, Timothy is to watch over all God has called him to. a. Do you devote the kind of discipline to your spiritual life that an athlete gives to his training? b. Do you know what God has called you to? Are you pursuing it with faithfulness? Physical things have benefit for this life. Spiritual things have benefit for this life and the next. We should devote ourselves to the second.
Extra Sermon Outline #13 Text: 2 Timothy 1:1 18 Call to be Holy Timothy is reminded to fan into flame the gift God has put within him. We must keep the fire burning of an active life of faith. a. Paul is writing his second book to Timothy. 2. A rich heritage. a. Paul calls Timothy his son in the faith. b. Paul also reminds Timothy of the faith of his grandmother and his mother. 3. The Spirit we ve received. a. The Spirit we have received is not one of fear. b. The Spirit we received fills us with power and love and soundness of mind. 4. Unashamed. a. Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of him, though he is suffering. b. He also tells him not be afraid to suffer nor to be ashamed of the Gospel, because regardless of the cost, it is the power of God to save. a. We have a rich heritage as we consider those who have gone before us, faithfully advancing the Gospel. b. The cost to share the Gospel may look different for us, but those who faithfully bring Jesus into their families, their work places and their lives do pay a cost. God help us not be ashamed, but to be unashamed. The Gospel, the message of Jesus death, burial and resurrection for salvation and forgiveness for all who believe, is the only hope for the world.
Extra Sermon Outline #14 Text: 2 Timothy 4:1 8 Keep Your Head Paul is preparing for his death. He is using himself up to encourage those who come behind to preach God s Word faithfully. a. Paul is closing his letter to Timothy. 2. Perspective. a. Paul calls Timothy to live in the realization of God s presence. b. He charges him in light of the coming judgment and the revealing of God s Kingdom. 3. Preach the Word. a. In every season and circumstance, Paul charges Timothy to faithfully administer God s Word. b. While people will increasingly seek what brings them comfort, the Word is the standard that remains. 4. Paul is prepared for eternity. a. Paul s death, like his life is an offering he is ready to give to God. b. Paul knows that his faithfulness to Christ and the Gospel will be rewarded. a. We need to honestly ask ourselves if we are living in light of Jesus appearing. Are we live as though this life is already fading and the only investment that counts is that which lasts into eternity? b. Do we live our lives as an offering? Are we willing to sacrifice as Romans 12:1 calls us to be? God open our eyes to what is real that our lives might be characterized by longing for his appearance.
Get Your Copy of DISCOVERY Discovery is the quarterly Bible Reading Guide that takes you through all the books of the Bible in a five year cycle reading approximately 10-20 verses per day. It includes life-related explanations of each passage, prayers, applications and more. To get your copy, contact your church or Scripture Union: 1-800-621-LAMP (5267), www.scriptureunionresources.org. Thanks!