Study and Preach

Disciple Lessons from Philippians

For a short letter of only four chapters and 104 verses, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is amazingly profound. At one level it is a poignant epistle from a jailed apostle to a beloved supporting church. At another level it contains an exhilarating hymn of Christ’s humility and exaltation, a glimpse into Paul’s intense passion to know Christ, and a discerning reflection on prayer and the peace it brings.
Reading and studying Philippians will inspire, warm, challenge, and encourage. It’s an upbeat letter, full of joy and rejoicing. But the lessons of faith and discipleship it teaches are not just feel-goods. They are deep, enduring perspectives on how to face problems, stress, and struggle and grow through them, rather than wilting under the pressure. Philippians is powerful stuff!

1. Approve What Is Excellent (1:1-11). Partnership in the gospel, choices.

2. For Me to Live is Christ (1:12-30). The witness of imprisonment. Purpose for living.

3. He Emptied Himself (2:1-11). Humility and exaltation. A study in who Jesus is, and the nature of the incarnation.

4. God Is at Work in You (2:12-18). The dynamics of salvation: our part and God’s part.

5. Christian Character: Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30). Character of Christian workers.

6. That I May Know Him (3:1-11). What it means to “know” God.

7. Pressing Toward the Goal (3:12-4:1). The urgency of God’s call, citizenship in heaven.

8. Rejoice in the Lord Always (4:1-9). Dealing with worry and stress

9. A Partnership in Giving and Receiving (4:10-23). Learning contentment in Christ, stewardship

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Text: John 5:31-47
Theme: Evidence that demands a verdict

31″If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32There is another who testifies in my favour, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. 33″You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. 36″I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,

Introduction: How do we know that christianity is true? Jesus made some astonishing cliams: Earlier in this chapter in vs 18 ‘he was even calling God his own father, making himself equal with God. But Jesus says his own testimony was not enough (v31) Supporting evidence is required. God the father has supplied this evidence (vs 32) through at least 4 witnesses.

Preaching Outline Notes:

1. The evidence of the other people (v.33)

2. The evidence of the life’s work of Jesus (v.36)

3. The evidence of the father’s direct testimony (vv. 37-38)

4. The evidence of the scriptures. (vv. 38-39)

In the light of this evidence, why do people refuse to come to Christ?

1. Some are not willing to put God first in there lives (v.42)

2. Some are more concerned about what others think than about what God thinks (v.44)

3. Some simply refuse to believe in Jesus despite of the evidence (vv. 40,47)

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Outlines in the Character of Jesus from Marks Gospel
The Gospel that asks the Question “Who is Jesus?”

MARK CHAPTER ONE: OUTLINE

Part One
Text: Mark 1:1-8
Title: John Prepares the way.

Mar 1:1 This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Introduction: One small passage, one small verse. But it is the hinge of all that Mark writes.

The Beginning – It’s a new message at an appointed time and place.
The word “ Beginning” expresses the inauguration of a particular event. Mark has lived in the gospel era, he knows the outcome of God’s unfolding plan. He has the hindsight of knowing the death and resurrection of Jesus. Because of this he announces the ministry of Jesus with great power and with authority. Jesus in this first chapter emerges from obscurity and begins his gospel ministry and brings the kingdom of God to bear upon impoverished lives.

Gospel – The Gospel is Good News. The Announcement of God’s Grace.
By the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ Mark means the powerful life changing story which he is about to tell of Jesus’ Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Glorification, and of the beginning of gathering believers in His Name.

Jesus – The Gospel is not about a system of religion that salvation is found in by doing, But about a person that salvation is found in, by knowing.
The Gospel is a person – Jehovah is Salvation. This is the Word of God himself, faithful and true. Announcing salvation through himself. This is the same as John’s prologue announcing the Incarnational God.

Christ –The Anointed One / The long awaited Messiah. The Mediator between God and Man, The Prophet that has declared the whole counsel of God. The Great High Priest who has offered himself as a sacrifice for his people. The Offering that makes peace, procures pardon, obtains redemption.
The King who reigns over his people, protects and defends them.

Son of God – Who reveres God as father, in the same way an earthly son does. A worshipper of God in the same way an earthly some brings honour and praise to his father. Who in character and life resembles God. In the same way an earthly son is shaped and molded by his earthly father. His character has been shaped by God. Pointing out his divine origins.

Son of God - Who is governed by the Spirit of God, as enjoying the supreme love and presence of God, united to him in intimacy, knows what is on the fathers heart and is obedient to the Father’s will in all his acts Pointing out his divine origins.

Conclusion: Everything in Marks Gospel hinges on this one verse, for if none of this is true then all our faith is in vain. All what mark is about to tells us will make no difference in our lives if this prologue is not true.

MARK CHAPTER ONE: OUTLINE- Mark 1:9-13

Text: Mark 1:9-13
Title: The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
Mar 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you!” At once the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Ordinary – Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee
Humble – was baptized by John in the Jordan
Obedient – Just as he was coming up out of the water
Blessed - he saw the heavens split open
Anointed- and the Spirit descending on him like a dove
Affirmed – Then a voice came from heaven:
Praised and Glorified “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you!”
Led - At once the Spirit drove him into the wilderness
Isolated – The wilderness.
Tempted- Tempted by Satan
Remote – He was with the wild animals
Sustained - angels were ministering to him

Sermon Outline 1:
Study of Mark 1:9-13:
The Day of Decision
See William Barclay The Gospel of Mark page 19-22

1. The Moment of Decision
2. The Moment of Identification
3. The Moment of Approval
4. The Moment of Equipping