He first states the root causes of anger, frustration, disappointment, and resentment. He then goes on to describe how anger if left unresolved affects every aspect of our lives from the physical to the spiritual and how this anger, if left unresolved, leads to serious health problems and spiritual danger. Dr. Evans speaks about several different ways that we handle anger both constructive and destructive. He further expound that by handling our anger constructively we seek to remove the barriers that this anger places between us, those around us, and God.
He concludes the sermon by showing us that if we will rely on God’s resources we will be able to reconcile our anger and have our lives made stronger in Him as well as have a clear conscience before God. Biblical Problem: Saul’s anger towards David has caused conflict. Biblical Solution: David gives Saul the chance to resolve his anger towards him. Contemporary Problem: Our Christian walk can be placed in danger by unresolved anger. Contemporary Solution: We must rely upon God to help us resolve the issues surrounding our anger and restore our relationships. Preaching Today Tape # 4340 Stuart Briscoe Ordinary Folks Make Great Disciples Mark 8 In this sermon Briscoe tells us what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ.
Being a disciple is not some higher status for Christians nor does having a denominationally correct title make one a true disciple of Jesus. A true disciple is one who has a growing relationship with the teacher. In order to say that we are truly disciples of Christ we have to be willing to hand over our lives entirely to Him and not try to retain any of our self-interests. We have to trust wholly in Christ and be careful not to try and make Christ fit into a mold that we create for Him. We must deny ourselves completely in order to follow after the path that Jesus has laid out for us and we must daily reaffirm this to Him and ourselves. Biblical Problem: The disciples of the Scribes and Pharisees are more concerned with not breaking the laws than having a personal relationship with God.
Biblical Solution: Become a true disciple of Jesus. Contemporary Problem: People are more caught up in correct titles than in pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Contemporary Solution: Rather than worry about “Correct Titles” we as Christians must follow after Jesus. Preaching Today Tape # 4046 James O. Rose A Day In The Life Of Simon The Cyrene Mark 15 In this sermon Rose gives a first person presentation of a minor character by the name of Simon the Cyrene who witnessed the closing days of Jesus’ ministry, His death on the cross, the stories of His resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the disciples of Christ.
In giving this first person account Rose, as Simon, constantly refers to the Jewish beliefs of the day and the prophecies of Isaiah concerning the Messiah. Acting as Simon Rose gives us a vivid and personal look into these events as they unfold, from Jesus speaking with the people to the point where Simon is commanded to carry the beam of wood for Jesus, we are allowed to take a small part in the feelings of a Jew during this climatic time. Rose then goes on to tell of the journey from skepticism to belief that this Jesus who was crucified is the true Messiah, the one spoken of by Isaiah and proclaimed by Peter on the day of Pentecost. Rose concludes this dramatic presentation by having Simon issue the challenge of accepting the cross of Jesus, not as an unjust burden imposed by a roman soldier, but rather as a gift from God that leads to salvation. Biblical Problem: N/A Biblical Solution: N/A Contemporary Problem: N/A Contemporary Solution: N/A The Finney Sermon Collection Volume 1, pp 3-12 Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Matthew 5:3 Charles G. Finney In the first part of this sermon Finney describes what it means to actually be “Poor in spirit.” He describes this, as a total dependence upon God to reveal and strengthen our faith, to be poor in spirit is to fully realize that we cannot of ourselves fully believe in God and accept what He has to say.
We find it much easier to believe what a fallible man tells us than we do believing the promises that God has made. Only by completely surrendering to God can we fully realize that God’s word is truth. In the second part of his sermon, Finney tells us why those who have completely surrendered to God are blessed. They are blessed because they have passed beyond the mere theory of salvation and embraced the factual release from sin that allows them to no longer rely upon themselves to make their lives acceptable to God. Rather they let God have His own way within their lives, emptying themselves of their wants and desires and allowing God to fill them with His.
In this way they not only have the promise of inheriting the kingdom of God to come, but they are also allowed to share in His kingdom here and now. Biblical Problem: No Specific problem given Biblical Solution: Contemporary Problem: Some hold to the theory of Salvation but fail to realize its fullness. Contemporary Solution: We must allow God to completely take control of our lives. The Spurgeon Sermon Collection Volume # 2 pp 323-335 Faith And Repentance Inseparable Mark 1:15 Charles H. Spurgeon Spurgeon starts this sermon by proclaiming that when Jesus said, “Repent and Believe the gospel” He was doing more than pleading with the people, Jesus was issuing a command from God. Spurgeon goes on to remind us that as ministers of the gospel we must convey the authority of this command instead of trying to minimize its importance.
The fact is that this command, issued by Jesus, demands a response either for or against. There is no middle road to be taken. Spurgeon then goes on to explain exactly what repentance and belief are, repentance is much more than a simple change of mind as is too often proclaimed, rather it goes much farther in that is a hatred of our sins and a true sorrow for them. Of course repentance has to be jointly accompanied by the belief that Jesus is able to forgive our sins no matter how terrible we think they are.
If we convince ourselves that our sin is so terrible that even God cannot forgive them, then no matter how much we hate and are sorry for these sins, no matter how many times we repent from our ways, we cannot be freed from damnation. For without faith it is impossible to please God. Biblical Problem: Biblical Solution: Contemporary Problem: The church tends to diminish and separate the importance of repentance and Faith. Contemporary Solution: We must obey this command in full and believe that Jesus will forgive us if we are truly repentant and believe.
The Works of John Wesley Volume #5 The Life of John Wesley: First Series of Sermons pp 75-83 The Almost Christian Acts 26:28 John Wesley In this sermon Wesley explains to us the difference between living a “good” life and actually being a Christian. Living a life that is good is not enough to enter the kingdom of Heaven, no matter how well we’ve treated others, no matter how long we’ve gone to church, no matter how pure our motives, if we do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior it is all worthless. We cannot do enough good in our lifetimes to earn our way into the kingdom, it is only through the atoning blood of Jesus that we receive forgiveness of our sins and it is the grace of God that helps us to fulfill those things that He desires of us. As forgiven people of God we also share in a unique gift given only to those who have accepted God’s plan, that gift is the ability to love as God Himself loves. As genuine Christians God empowers us to love even our enemies because His love is ever present within us.
Wesley concludes this sermon by reiterating that just living a “good” life is not enough to make one a Christian, we must accept the gift that God has given us in His son Jesus and only then will we be able to live a true Christian life. Biblical Problem: Agrippa is almost persuaded to become a Christian by Paul’s testimony. Biblical Solution: Contemporary Problem: Being a good person is not enough to be a Christian. Contemporary Solution: We must accept Christ as both Lord and Savior in order to receive forgiveness from our sins and the power to live a true Christian life.
Bibliography
- Dr. Louis H. Evans Jr. How To Handle Anger Stuart Briscoe Ordinary Folks Make Great Disciples James O. Rose A Day In The Life Of Simon
- The Cyrene The Finney Sermon Collection Volume 1 Charles G. Finney The Spurgeon Sermon Collection Volume # 2 Charles H.
- Spurgeon The Works of John Wesley Volume #5 Religion Essays.
